It is one of those images that is difficult for any basketball lover to process. Gregg Popovich, one of the most respected voices on the bench for decades, has reappeared in public. And the reaction from the sports world has been unanimous: shock and sadness. Its reappearance has been an emotional and painful reminder of the passage of time, even for those who seemed eternal.
After months away from the spotlight due to health problems that forced his departure from the San Antonio Spurs bench, the 76-year-old legend reappeared in a G League match played in Austin. What should have been a symbolic visit became a harsh blow of reality for many fans.
President of operations
The HEB Center in Cedar Park stood to applaud Popovich, now in an office role as the franchise’s president of basketball operations after the stroke suffered in November 2024, crossed the court to greet young players and staff members.
However, the images that have circulated on social networks show a scene that is difficult to assimilate. Assisted by a cane and supported by club personnel, the legendary coach advanced with obvious difficulty. He smiled, greeted and thanked them for their affection, making it clear that his charisma remains intact, but his physical fragility has deeply impacted the NBA community.
The reactions were immediate. “It’s very hard to see this. One of the best coaches and people,” wrote a fan on Instagram. “It makes me sad. I’m happy to see it there, but it makes me sad,” said another. “As a Spurs fan, it hurts me to see this,” added one follower, while another summed up the general feeling: “It breaks my heart.”
He suffered a stroke
Popovich suffered a minor stroke on November 2, 2024, before a game against the Minnesota Timberwolves at the Frost Bank Center. Although at first there was talk of a complete recovery, the health problem kept him away from the bench throughout the 2024-25 season.
Faced with this situation, Mitch Johnson took over as interim coach and, finally, in May 2025, Popovich officially left his position as head coach of the Spurs, ending one of the longest and most successful careers in NBA history.
The coach is still in the recovery process and has made very specific public appearances, always supported by the organization.
basketball history
Gregg Popovich is part of the living history of basketball. He joined the Spurs in 1988 as an assistant coach and took over as head coach in the 1996-97 season. During 29 seasons at the head of the team, he led San Antonio to five NBA championships and established himself as an absolute reference on and off the court.
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