San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich was rushed to the hospital on Tuesday night, April 15, 2025, after suffering a medical emergency at a local steakhouse. The incident occurred around 8:20 PM, where Popovich, 76, reportedly fainted while dining with friends. Emergency responders received a call about an elderly person who had fainted and arrived promptly to assist him.
Video footage obtained by TMZ shows Popovich being placed on a stretcher and transported to the ambulance. Fortunately, sources indicate that he was alert and talking when he entered the ambulance, and the injury was classified as non-life-threatening. By Friday, April 18, 2025, ESPN's Shams Charania reported that Popovich was back home and doing fine.
This recent health scare comes just months after Popovich suffered a mild stroke in November 2024, which forced him to step away from coaching for the remainder of the season. In February 2025, it was officially announced that he would not return to the Spurs for the rest of the campaign. Assistant coach Mitch Johnson has been filling in as interim head coach during Popovich's absence.
Popovich's coaching career is nothing short of legendary. He has been at the helm of the Spurs since the 1996-97 season, leading the franchise to five NBA championships and becoming the winningest coach in NBA history with 1,412 regular-season victories and 170 playoff wins. His accolades also include three Coach of the Year awards and guiding Team USA to a gold medal at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
Despite the Spurs' storied history under his leadership, the team faced challenges this season, finishing with a disappointing 34-48 record, which left them in 13th place in the Western Conference. Their playoff hopes were further dampened when star player Victor Wembanyama was sidelined for the season due to deep vein thrombosis in his right shoulder.
Popovich's absence has been felt throughout the organization, as he has been a pivotal figure in shaping the Spurs' identity over the decades. In a heartfelt statement released in December 2024, Popovich expressed gratitude for the overwhelming support he received during his recovery. "This has certainly been an unexpected six weeks for my family and me," he said. "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."
His future in coaching remains uncertain, especially in light of this latest incident. While there have been hopes for Popovich's return next season, the Spurs organization has emphasized that they will not allow him to return until he is fully healthy. Spurs CEO R.C. Buford previously mentioned that Popovich has been diligently working towards a comeback, but the recent setback raises questions about his readiness to return.
Throughout his career, Popovich has been known for his resilience and unique approach to coaching. He has developed a reputation for fostering strong relationships with players and staff alike, contributing to the Spurs' culture of success. As the oldest coach in NBA history, Popovich's experience and wisdom have been invaluable to the organization.
In light of his health issues and the team's struggles this season, the Spurs have faced a challenging year. With the playoffs set to begin on Saturday, April 19, 2025, the team will have to navigate the postseason without their legendary coach. Popovich's absence is a significant blow, but the Spurs remain hopeful for his eventual return.
As the basketball community rallies around Popovich, fans and players alike are sending their best wishes for his recovery. His legacy as one of the greatest coaches in NBA history is firmly established, and the hope is that he will be able to return to the sidelines, continuing to lead and inspire the next generation of players.
The Spurs organization, along with Popovich's family and friends, eagerly await updates on his health and the possibility of his return to coaching. For now, they focus on supporting each other through this difficult time, while keeping the spirit of the franchise alive.
