Gregg Popovich is the oldest coach in NBA history at 75 years old.

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Legendary San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich, 75, suffered a mild stroke at the Frost Bank Center on Nov. 2, the team announced Wednesday.

Popovich has already begun a rehabilitation program and is expected to make a full recovery, according to the team. A timeline for his return is unknown, team officials said.

“During this time, the organization is grateful to the extended community for providing the Popovich family with privacy and space,” the Spurs said in a news release.

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— San Antonio Spurs (@spurs) November 13, 2024

The Spurs play Washington at home on Wednesday, which will be the seventh straight game in which Johnson will fill in for Popovich. Assistant coach Mitch Johnson was the acting coach in Popovich’s absence. Popovich has missed six games and the Spurs are 3-3 without him.

A stroke was the fourth leading cause of death in the US According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than half a million Americans will suffer a stroke each year by 2023.

The Spurs coach suffered an undisclosed medical incident on Nov. 2, about 2.5 hours prior to the Spurs’ 113-103 home win over the Minnesota Timberwolves.

When asked whether there was clarity about Popovich’s return this season, Johnson could not provide an answer.

“I’d say… he’s doing well,” Johnson said on Nov. 7. ‘We talked. I’ve had my hands full trying to stay above water. So I haven’t talked about details yet and I’m not sure, about anything… that I… don’t have details.’

Popovich is one of only three coaches to win the NBA coach of the year award three times, Don Nelson and Pat Riley being the others. He is one of five coaches with at least five NBA titles; Phil Jackson (11), Red Auerbach (9), John Kundla (5) and Riley (5) are the others.

Spurs star Victor Wembanyama said the players have not had much contact with Popovich but expect him to return soon.

“We don’t hear much from Pop,” Wembanyama said after tThe Spurs’ 118-105 win over the Blazers on November 7. ‘They keep us informed, as much as we are allowed to know. So I’m not worried about him. I know he will be back soon.”

Popovich has been a part of the Spurs for almost 35 years. He served as an assistant coach from 1988 to 1992, then returned to the club on May 31, 1994 as executive vice president of basketball operations and general manager. He decided to fire coach Bob Hill and appoint himself coach on December 10, 1996.

Since then he has been the secondary boss of Spurs.

Popovich’s 29-year stint with the Spurs is one that is virtually unparalleled in American major professional sports history.

Connie Mack led the Philadelphia Athletics for 50 years, George Halas coached the Chicago Bears for 40 years and John McGraw led the New York Giants for 31 years. These three terms – all of which concluded over a half-century ago – are the only ones to surpass Popovich’s streak with the Spurs.

His 29-year era in San Antonio matches the tenures of Dallas Cowboys’ Tom Landry and Green Bay Packers’ Curly Lambeau in those jobs.

This report used information from The Associated Press.