Michael C. Wright, ESPN writer
SAN ANTONIO — Spurs coach Gregg Popovich released a statement Monday thanking the community, the Spurs organization and friends for their support after the Hall of Famer suffered what the team called a “mild stroke” on Nov. 2 at the Frost Bank Center.
“It has certainly been an unexpected six weeks for my family and I,” Popovich said in a statement. “As we work together on my recovery, I want to take a moment to share that the outpouring of support we have received during this time has been truly overwhelming in the best way possible. While I wish I could get back to each and every one of you, for now let me say that my family and I are forever grateful. We are grateful for our wonderful community, the entire Spurs organization and our family and friends.
Popovich, 75, coached San Antonio in its first five games, posting a 2-3 record.
When the club initially announced Popovich’s condition, it mentioned that the coach had already started a rehabilitation program and was expected to recover.
The NBA’s all-time scoring leader, Popovich, who led San Antonio to five NBA championships and also won a gold medal in the 2021 Tokyo Olympics as head coach of Team USA Basketball.
Popovich is serving as San Antonio’s coach for the 29th time.
The Spurs have named assistant Mitch Johnson as acting head coach in Popovich’s absence for the foreseeable future.
Johnson, 38, has posted an 11-10 record as head coach this season, and the Spurs (13-13) are currently 11th in the Western Conference standings heading into Thursday’s home game against Liverpool. Atlanta Hawks.
“No one is more excited to see me return to the bench than the talented individuals who have overseen my rehabilitation process,” Popovich said in a statement. “They quickly realized I was untrainable.”
