By Eurohoops team / info@eurohoops.net
San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich visited his players during a team practice Thursday (27/2) in an “emotional meeting” per ESPN’s Shams Charania.
In a statement released by the Spurs, Popovich confirmed that he won’t return to coaching this season and that he hopes to his recovery will allow to come back to the benches for 2025-26.
“I’ve decided not to return to the sidelines this season,” said Popovich. “Mitch Johnson and his staff have done a wonderful job and the resolve and professionalism the players have shown, sticking together during a challenging season, has been outstanding. I will continue to focus on my health with the hope that I can return to coaching in the future.
This was the first time that Spurs players met with Popovich after the legendary coach suffered a stroke back in November. Assistant coach Mitch Johnson took over the team as interim head coach.
Charania also reports that Spurs players saw how the 76-year-old Popovich, 76 was physically affected by his stroke. Yet their talk was “filled with motivational messages, jokes, critique and praise” from their coach.