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[Saba Sports News] San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich has provided a significant update on his status with the team.
According to NBA reporter Chris Haynes, Popovich addressed his players on Thursday for the first time since suffering a stroke in November.
He confirmed that he will not return to coaching for the remainder of the season but did not offer clarity on his long-term future. Reports last week suggested that his return to the bench at all remains uncertain.
Even if Popovich were physically able to return this season, there wouldn’t be much incentive for the struggling Spurs.
With Victor Wembanyama sidelined for the rest of the year and the team sitting 5.5 games out of the final play-in spot, a postseason push is highly unlikely.
While Popovich would undoubtedly prefer to be back, there is no pressing need for him to rush his return.
The Spurs entered Thursday at 24-33, falling short of expectations. Without Wembanyama, their potential for the rest of the season is limited.
Popovich, 76, has been at the helm in San Antonio since the 1996-97 season, winning five NBA championships and holding the record for most coaching wins in league history with 1,390.
Whether he will coach again remains to be seen, but the hope is that this isn’t the last we’ve seen of the legendary coach.