Gregg Popovich Rushed to Hospital After Fainting at San Antonio Restaurant

San Antonio, TX — Legendary San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich was rushed to the hospital on Tuesday night following a medical emergency at a local steakhouse. The 76-year-old was seen on video being placed onto a stretcher and loaded into an ambulance around 8:20 p.m. after officials received reports of an elderly person who had fainted while dining.

Popovich, who has been on indefinite leave since suffering a mild stroke in November, reportedly spent approximately two hours at the restaurant before the incident occurred. Although he was said to be alert and communicating with responders, he was transported to the hospital with a non-life-threatening condition.

In a statement made earlier this year, Popovich confirmed he would not return to coaching for the remainder of the 2024-25 season, stating, “I will continue to focus on my health with the hope that I can return to coaching in the future.” During his absence, assistant coach Mitch Johnson has taken over leadership of the team, which concluded the season with a record of 34-48, placing them 13th in the Western Conference.

The Spurs have not issued a statement in response to Popovich’s latest health scare, and it remains unclear when or if he may return to coaching. Popovich, who has achieved more wins than any other coach in NBA history, has been an influential figure in basketball, guiding Team USA to a gold medal in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and earning five NBA championships with the Spurs since becoming head coach in 1996.

In February, when Popovich announced his decision to step away, he praised Johnson and the team for their resilience. He stated, “Mitch Johnson and his staff have done a wonderful job and the resolve and professionalism the players have shown, sticking together during a challenging season, has been outstanding.”

Popovich’s storied career began at the Air Force Academy, where he played basketball before serving in the U.S. Armed Forces. He transitioned into coaching both at the collegiate level and in the NBA, eventually making his mark with the Spurs, securing three NBA Coach of the Year awards and being inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame. The organization continues to navigate its future without their iconic leader as the season ends.