Gregg Popovich Has Made His Decision About Returning to Spurs This Season

Longtime NBA head coach Gregg Popovich has reportedly addressed the San Antonio Spurs to let them know that he won't be returning this season. The veteran head coach has been out following a stroke that he suffered last year.

NBA insider Chris Haynes reported the news on social media.

It was reported recently that Popovich would likely not return this season but he now has made it official. The longtime head coach has been recovering from the stroke and it's likely better for him to stay away from the sidelines for now.

His future with the team remains uncertain as it all depends on the status of his health going forward. Spurs CEO R.C. Buford said in a statement that Popovich was doing the best he could to return to the sidelines this year but it seems that fans will have to wait to see him return.

"All I can share is he's attacking his rehab in a way that ... you know Pop, you've observed him for years," Buford said. "The same resilience that he's shown over the course of our career as a coach, he's approaching his return in his rehab in an incredibly unique way. The relationships that he had with our former players and the care that they're sharing with him is amazing. And his improvement continues."

Popovich is one of the more loved coaches around the game and it has been rough to see the NBA without him. The veteran has won five NBA titles during his tenure as the head coach of the Spurs.

His first championship run came in 1999, followed by wins in 2003, 2005, 2007, and 2014. Popovich will try to return to the sidelines next season and everyone will be heavily rooting to his return.

This is the latest news in an unfortunate string for the Spurs as second-year sensation Victor Wembanyama has also been ruled out for the year. Wembanyama has been dealing with a scary blood clot issue in his right arm.

The star center averaged 24.3 points per game, 11.0 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and 3.8 blocks in 46 games of action. San Antonio is hopeful to get both Wembanyama and Popovich back for the start of next season.

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