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Spurs coach Gregg Popovich was absent due to a ‘mild stroke’ before the game and is expected to make a full recovery
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Spurs coach Gregg Popovich was absent due to a ‘mild stroke’ before the game and is expected to make a full recovery

The Spurs said Popovich suffered a mild stroke on Nov. 2 at the team’s arena in San Antonio

Jason Miller/Getty San Antonio Spurs Head Coach Gregg PopovichJason Miller/Getty San Antonio Spurs Head Coach Gregg Popovich

Jason Miller/Getty

San Antonio Spurs Head Coach Gregg Popovich

The San Antonio Spurs say head coach Gregg Popovich will make a full recovery after suffering a “mild stroke” earlier this month.

On Wednesday, November 13, the Spurs provided an update on their 75-year-old coach, who has been away from the team since November 2.

“The San Antonio Spurs announced today that Head Coach Gregg Popovich suffered a mild stroke. The episode occurred on November 2 at the Frost Bank Center,” the statement said.

According to the team, Popovich is expected to make a full recovery and has already begun a rehabilitation program. The Spurs said there is currently no timeline for his return to coach the NBA team – which includes 2023 No. 1 draft pick Victor Wembanyama and NBA vet Chris Paul.

Related: Spurs coach Gregg Popovich out indefinitely after sudden health issue before game

Mitch Johnson has been serving as interim head coach since Popovich — who won five NBA titles as coach for the Spurs and two Olympic gold medals with Team USA — suffered the stroke on Nov. 2 just before tipoff between the Spurs and the Minnesota Timberwolves.

“During this time, the organization is grateful to the extended community for providing the Popovich family with privacy and space,” the Spurs statement concluded.

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On November 4, ESPN’s NBA insider Shams Charania reported that Popovich would be away from the team “indefinitely” while he recovered from a “health issue.”

Gregory Shamus/Getty Team United States Head Coach Gregg Popovich cheers on his teamGregory Shamus/Getty Team United States Head Coach Gregg Popovich cheers on his team

Gregory Shamus/Getty

Team United States Head Coach Gregg Popovich cheers on his team

After the Nov. 2 game, interim coach Johnson told the Associated Press that he learned he would take over for Popovich just hours before tipoff. He described Popovich’s condition as an “unexpected illness,” simply telling reporters, “He’s not feeling well,” and that “this has happened before.”

Johnson said at the time that the team “just has to always be ready for the next guy,” according to the AP. “We’ve had it with injuries and sometimes people get sick, don’t feel well or things happen in life.”

Related: LeBron James fights back tears as he addresses the death of Coach Gregg Popovich’s wife Erin

Popovich is one of the most beloved NBA coaches, retired and active, and is widely known as one of the winningest coaches in the league’s history. Currently in his 29th season as San Antonio’s head coach, Popovich is just one of five coaches to have won five or more titles.

Popovich led San Antonio to NBA championships in 1999, 2003, 2005, 2007 and 2014.