Importance Score: 35 / 100 🔵
Gregg Popovich, San Antonio Spurs Coach, Hospitalized After Medical Incident
Veteran San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich was urgently transported to a hospital on Tuesday evening following a reported medical emergency at a local steakhouse. This health scare occurs approximately six months after the NBA legend suffered a mild stroke. News of Gregg Popovich’s hospitalization has raised concerns about the health of the celebrated San Antonio Spurs coach.
Details of the Incident
Footage obtained by TMZ Sports depicts the 76-year-old Popovich being moved on a stretcher and placed into an ambulance after he reportedly fainted at the establishment.
Background on Popovich’s Health
Gregg Popovich experienced a minor stroke in early November and subsequently took indefinite leave from the Spurs. In February, he confirmed his absence from coaching for the remainder of the current NBA season.
Concerns Over Future Return
This recent medical incident has cast further doubt on Popovich’s long-term prospects with the team. Concerns are growing about whether the legendary coach will be able to return to the Spurs bench.
According to TMZ, Popovich is still in recovery from his stroke last November. However, reports indicate he was conscious and responsive when paramedics placed him in the ambulance on Tuesday night. He had reportedly been at the restaurant for about two hours prior to the incident.
vCard.red is a free platform for creating a mobile-friendly digital business cards. You can easily create a vCard and generate a QR code for it, allowing others to scan and save your contact details instantly.
The platform allows you to display contact information, social media links, services, and products all in one shareable link. Optional features include appointment scheduling, WhatsApp-based storefronts, media galleries, and custom design options.
Spurs and NBA Community Response
The San Antonio Spurs, who did not qualify for the NBA playoffs commencing on Saturday, have not yet released an official statement regarding the incident. However, ESPN later reported on Friday that Popovich has returned home and is currently ‘fine’.
Gregg Popovich, 76, was taken to a hospital on Tuesday night due to a medical emergency.
Popovich is an icon in the NBA, holding the record for most coaching wins.
Popovich’s Illustrious Career
Popovich boasts an unmatched record of wins as an NBA coach and guided Team USA to a gold medal at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
He has also secured five NBA championships with the Spurs, where he has served as head coach since 1996.
Spurs Season and Leadership
During his absence this season, assistant coach Mitch Johnson has been leading the Spurs.
The Spurs concluded the season with a 34-48 record, placing them 13th in the Western Conference standings and outside of playoff contention.
Their playoff aspirations were further hampered when rookie star Victor Wembanyama was sidelined in February due to deep vein thrombosis in his right shoulder.
At the time of Wembanyama’s injury, the Spurs organization communicated that they had no long-term health concerns for the 21-year-old center.
Uncertainty Regarding Future Coaching Role
The question remains whether Popovich will deem himself fit enough to return for the Spurs‘ next season, considering his recent health challenges.
In his late February announcement about his continued leave, Popovich stated, ‘I’ve decided not to return to the sidelines this season.’
The Spurs have also played without their key player Victor Wembanyama since February.
It is unclear if Popovich, 76, will be back to coach the Spurs in the next NBA season.
He added, ‘Mitch Johnson and his staff have performed admirably, and the players have demonstrated remarkable resilience and professionalism by remaining unified throughout a demanding season.
‘I will continue to prioritize my health with the hope of returning to coaching in the future.’
Popovich’s Coaching Legacy
In addition to his record-breaking number of NBA wins, Popovich is tied for second-most NBA titles amongst coaches, sharing the spot with Pat Riley (five) and trailing only Phil Jackson (eleven).
Early Career and Background
Popovich is an alumnus of the Air Force Academy, where he played guard for four years before serving in the US Armed Forces Basketball Team for five years.
Following his playing career, Popovich returned to Air Force as an assistant coach.
He later held two head coaching positions at Division III Pomona-Pitzer College in California (1979-1986 and 1987-88), with a brief period as an assistant at the University of Kansas in between.
Popovich also served two stints as an NBA assistant coach (with the Spurs from 1988-92 and the Golden State Warriors from 1992-94) before becoming the head coach in San Antonio in 1996, his only NBA head coaching job to date.