Former Spurs coach Gregg Popovich was spotted courtside at an Austin Spurs G-League game almost a year after he suffered a terrifying health scare that left him ‘barely responding.’
The 76-year-old – who has the most wins of any coach in NBA history – spent nearly three decades as head coach of the San Antonio Spurs before stepping away from the bench in May to become president of basketball operations.
Popovich suffered a stroke before a game in November 2024 and was hospitalized last April after reportedly fainting at a restaurant.
On Friday, a video emerged of the five-time NBA champion at H-E-B Center in Cedar Park, Texas, to see the Spurs’ G-League affiliate suffer a 112-96 loss to Capital City Go-Go.
A clip appeared on social media of Popovich using a walking stick as he hobbled across the court.
It showed the 76-year-old waving to the crowd, who gave him a rousing reception in Texas. He also shook hands with several young fans and posed for photographs. There were even claims he helped coach the Spurs during the first half.
Gregg Popovich spent nearly three decades as head coach of the San Antonio Spurs
Popovich is a legendary NBA coach who has more wins than anyone else in history
Popovich has not been seen in public since May, when he turned up to a press conference to introduce his replacement, Mitch Johnson.
That day, he revealed a shirt which read ‘El Jefe’ and ‘Senor Popovich’ before declaring: ‘I’m no longer coach… I’m ‘El Jefe.’
Popovich said his health was improving but signs of his struggles were obvious. Later that month, a 911 call of the moment he was ‘barely responding’ at a restaurant came to light.
TMZ revealed details of the panicked call, which was made by a man at Ruth’s Chris Steak House in San Antonio on April 15. The former Spurs coach was rushed to the hospital after the incident which occurred just six months after his mild stroke.
Worrying footage later emerged of the five-time NBA champion lying on a stretcher and being placed into an ambulance after reportedly fainting.
Describing Popovich as a ‘guest’, the caller said he was ‘non-responding’ before later changing his phrasing to ‘barely responding.’ Moments later, he noted that Popovich was starting to come around. ‘Ok. He’s responding now,’ the man says. ‘He passed out for a little bit.’
