San Antonio – Spurs -Trainer Gregg Popovich was taken to a hospital in a restaurant on Tuesday evening after a medical incident, but is now at home and he is fine, said a source on Friday with ESPNS Shams Charania.
The 76-year-old Popovich, who is the oldest coach in NBA history, had a slight stroke in November and missed the rest of the season.
According to the TMZ, which reported for the first time about the medical incident, Popovich was put on a stretcher and taken to a hospital, with the officials said that it was not a life -threatening injury or illness. Sources said TMZ that Popovich was attentive when he entered the ambulance.
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On November 2, Popovich suffered from a matchup against the Minnesota Timberwolves, which the team described as a “mild stroke”. The Hall of Famer, who has been training the Spurs since the 1996/97 season, is the most victorious coach of the NBA with 1,412 victories of the regular season and another 170 in the post -season to achieve five championships.
In 2023 he agreed to an extension of the contract of five years with the team.
Co-coach Mitch Johnson temporarily took over to lead San Antonio to a record of 31-45 below his clock.
In Franchise Cornerstone Victor Wembanyama, a deep venous thrombosis or a blood clot in his right shoulder was diagnosed shortly after the NBA All Star break and excluded for the rest of the regular season. The newly added Wachmann De'aaron Fox, who came to the Spurs in February, missed the last 18 games due to a left -wing pink injury that was operated on.
Before Popovich's recent health incident, the Spurs already had an uncertain future as to whether the coach would return for the 2025 and 256 seasons. Johnson said the Spurs had already put together an offseason plan, which is completed by the employees in Popovich's absence.
“I don't think I still had time to deal with it,” said Johnson after the season finale on April 13th. “I understand that it is a fair question and I think I will take some time, put your breath and spend some time with the family.
“This organization still prioritizes the health of pop. Over time, he will do what he has to do and make decisions. This organization will go through this organization on a lot of levels. We have really put together this plan as a group. Obviously, my role has changed in nine years. What I do this spring is not what I did eight years ago, but the player development was here since I was here.”
The organization has a steadfast talk that Popovich would decide whether to return for a 30th season in San Antonio. Sources that have been in contact with Popovich since his stroke told them that the coach intended to express them to the bench next season to lead the Spurs.
“I trust the organization,” said Wembanyama after the season finale. “I trust pop too [do] Everything he can to come back and get his energy back. And I also trust that Mitch is growing into this role. I think we are in good hands that support each other throughout the organization. I am ready for everything and I know that the organization will be [make] The good decisions. “
Popovich had an emotional meeting with the Spurs players' players on February 27, and at the time he made an explanation that he would not officially return this season, but hopes to return in the future.
“I will continue to concentrate on my health in the hope that I can return to coaching in the future,” says his explanation.
Popovich enters Don Nelson and Pat Riley as one of only three coaches who wins the NBA coach of the year three times. He is also one of five coaches who won at least five NBA championships together with Phil Jackson (11), Red Auerbach (nine), John Kundla (five) and Riley (five).
