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San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich made an emotional visit to his players during a practice session on Thursday, February 27, as reported by ESPN’s Shams Charania.
In a statement issued by the Spurs, Popovich announced that he will not be returning to coaching this season. He expressed hope that his recovery would enable him to return to the sidelines for the 2025-26 season.
“I have decided not to take the court as a coach this season,” Popovich stated. “Mitch Johnson and his staff have done an incredible job, and the dedication and professionalism displayed by the players—a testament to their unity during this trying season—has been remarkable. My focus will remain on my health, with the desire to resume coaching in the future.”
This meeting marked the first occasion that Popovich interacted with the Spurs players since he suffered a stroke in November. During his absence, assistant coach Mitch Johnson has stepped in as the interim head coach.
Charania noted that the Spurs players witnessed the physical impact of the 76-year-old Popovich’s stroke during their interaction. However, their conversation was characterized by motivational remarks, light-hearted jokes, constructive criticism, and praise from their esteemed coach.
