San Antonio Spurs icon Gregg Popovich gave fans a scare Tuesday night after he was rushed to the hospital from a local steakhouse. Witnesses spotted the 76-year-old coach on a stretcher just outside the restaurant around 8:20 PM, as paramedics loaded him into an ambulance.
TMZ Sports obtained video of the scene and confirmed that emergency responders received a call about an elderly person who had fainted while dining. That person was Popovich. Sources close to the situation said he had been at the restaurant for nearly two hours before the medical issue occurred. The legendary coach was alert and speaking with responders by the time he entered the ambulance, offering some relief after the tense moment.
Health Concerns Continue After November Stroke
Popovich is still recovering from a mild stroke he suffered in early November. While the Tuesday incident didn’t result in any life-threatening injuries, it raised fresh concerns about his health. A source told TMZ Sports that Popovich “appeared to still be dealing with the effects” of the earlier stroke when he fell ill during dinner.
Medical officials on the scene confirmed they transported one patient, described as elderly, who had fainted. Later, that individual was confirmed to be Popovich and went to the hospital for further evaluation. He returned home shortly after and is reportedly doing better.
Popovich stepped away from coaching duties earlier this year to prioritize his health. In February, the team announced he would not return for the remainder of the season. In his absence, assistant coach Mitch Johnson has been the interim head coach.
Popovich’s resume remains unmatched in the league. He led the Spurs to five NBA championships and holds the record as the winningest coach in NBA history. He also guided Team USA to Olympic gold in Tokyo in 2020, further cementing his legacy on the global stage.
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Those close to the coach say he remains in good spirits and is focusing on his recovery despite Tuesday night’s scare. Fans, players, and colleagues continue to support him as he navigates this chapter off the court.
The Spurs organization has not released an official statement on the incident, but Popovich’s health will remain a topic of concern as he continues his recovery away from attention.
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