Gregg Popovich in San Antonio on Oct. 28, 2024. Photo:
Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty
San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich was hospitalized after officials received a call about a person who had “fainted” during dinner, according to a report.
The incident occurred on Tuesday, April 15 with footage obtained showing the 76-year-old basketball legend being placed in the back of an ambulance outside of a steakhouse in San Antonio at approximately 8:20 p.m. local time, TMZ Sports reported.
Officials told the outlet that the patient was taken to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries or illness. A source told TMZ Sports that Popovich was speaking and alert as he was taken out of the restaurant.
The Spurs and San Antonio Fire Department did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s requests for comment.
Gregg Popovich (right) with his team in Oklahoma City, Okla. in October 2024. Wesley Hitt/Getty
Popovich’s health scare comes less than two months after he announced to his team that he wouldn’t be returning this season following his stroke in November, according to the NBA. Popovich had decided to focus on his health, but hoped to return to coaching in the future.
He suffered the stroke on Nov. 2, 2024, just before the tip of the Spurs and Minnesota Timberwolves game. Assistant coach Mitch Johnson has acted as interim head coach since.
The next month, on Dec. 16, the legendary coach gave an update about his health. “This has certainly been an unexpected six weeks for my family and me,” Popovich said in a statement on X. “As we work together on my recovery, I want to take a moment to share that the outpouring of support we’ve received during this time has been truly overwhelming in the best possible way.”
He continued, “While I wish I could get back to each one of you, for now, let me say that my family and I are forever grateful. We’re thankful for our wonderful community, the entire Spurs organization, and our family and friends.”
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Popovich added, “While I wish I could get back to each one of you, for now, let me say that my family and I are forever grateful. We’re thankful for our wonderful community, the entire Spurs organization, and our family and friends.”
The longtime head coach is among the most beloved NBA coaches, retired and active, and is widely known as one of the winningest coaches in league history. Currently in his 29th season as San Antonio’s head coach, Popovich is just one of five coaches to win five or more titles.
Popovich led San Antonio to NBA championships in 1999, 2003, 2005, 2007 and 2014.
