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San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich is reportedly not expected to return for the remainder of the season, league sources with knowledge of the situation confirmed to ESPN's Shams Charania on Saturday (February 22).
Popovich, 76, a Basketball Hall of Famer, has been away from the bench since suffering what was described as a "mild stroke" in November. Assistant Mitch Johnson was promoted to interim head coach and led the team to a 21-27 record in his absence.
The reported decision on Popovich's continued absence came two days after the Spurs shut down franchise superstar center Victor Wembanyama, who was diagnosed with deep vein thrombosis in his right shoulder on Thursday (February 20). Popovich and Wembanyama have reported kept close contact in recent days, according to Charania, and the coach has been hands-on in communicating and providing guidance following the All-Star's diagnosis.
"It is wild to think of the circumstances and the situations that we've been through as a team this year," Spurs point guard Chris Paul said after Wembanyama's setback via ESPN. "But I think you guys know when situations happen in your family that somehow, someway brings you closer."
Popovich is the NBA's all-time winningest regular-season coach with 1,390 wins, having also won 170 playoff games and five NBA championships.