Report: Popovich not expected to return to Spurs this season

San Antonio Spurs head coach and team president Gregg Popovich is not expected to return to the team this season after suffering a mild stroke in November, sources told ESPN's Shams Charania.

Popovich's future with the organization is also reportedly uncertain as he continues to recover.

The Hall of Famer, 76, was on San Antonio's sideline for just the first five games of the season before having to step away Nov. 2 because of a medical issue. The team later revealed the coach had a mild stroke but said he was expected to make a full recovery.

Popovich later issued his first public statement on the matter Dec. 16, expressing gratitude for an outpouring of support around the NBA.

Assistant Mitch Johnson has assumed head-coaching duties on an interim basis in Popovich's absence.

Popovich boasts the NBA record for most regular-season wins by a head coach with 1,412 - all of which were with the Spurs. A three-time Coach of the Year, he's won five NBA titles throughout 29 seasons in San Antonio, the most by any active head coach and tied with John Kundla and Pat Riley for third all time.

The Spurs are already without All-Star Victor Wembanyama for the rest of 2024-25. The 7-foot-3 forward was diagnosed with a blood clot in his right shoulder Thursday after returning from the All-Star break.