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San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich issued a statement for the first time since suffering a mild stroke last month.
"This has certainly been an unexpected six weeks for my family and me," Popovich said in a news release shared by the Spurs. "As we work together on my recovery, I want to take a moment to share that the outpouring of support we've received during this time has been truly overwhelming in the best possible way. While I wish I could get back to each one of you, for now, let me say that my family and I are forever grateful. We're thankful for our wonderful community, the entire Spurs organization, and our family and friends.
"No one is more excited to see me return to the bench than the talented individuals who have been leading my rehabilitation process. They've quickly learned that I'm less than coachable.
Popovich, a Basketball Hall of Famer, was initially reported to have suffered n undisclosed health issue prior to being absent for the Spurs' 113-103 win against the Minnesota Timberwolves on November 2, according to ESPN's Shams Charania, who later reported the diagnosis as a mild stroke. Assistant coach Mitch Johnson has filled in as the interim with a 11-10 in the 21 games Popovich has missed.
The Spurs confirmed that Popovich didn't travel with the team for road games against the Los Angeles Clippers and Houston Rockets after his sudden absence on November 2 prior to Charania's earlier report. Popovich is the NBA's all-time winningest coach with 1,390 regular-season victories and 170 postseason wins, as well as five NBA championships, all of which have come during his 29-year tenure with the Spurs.
San Antonio is currently 13-13 through its first 26 games of the 2024-25 NBA season and 11th in the Western Conference, winning two of its last three games, but coming off a 106-92 loss to the Timberwolves on Sunday (December 15).