Spurs Coach Gregg Popovich Suffers Mild Stroke, Expected to Make ‘Full Recovery’
Gregg Popovich, the legendary head coach of the San Antonio Spurs, suffered a mild stroke on Friday, just hours before his team was set to play the Los Angeles Clippers.
Popovich, 73, was taken to a local hospital, where he was diagnosed with a transient ischemic attack (TIA), a temporary disruption of blood flow to the brain. He was released from the hospital on Saturday and is expected to make a full recovery.
The Spurs announced Popovich’s stroke in a statement on Saturday, saying that he is “resting comfortably at home and is in good spirits.” The team said that Popovich is expected to miss the next few games, but that he is “planning to return to the bench as soon as possible.”
Popovich, who has been the Spurs’ head coach since 1996, is one of the most successful coaches in NBA history. He has led the Spurs to five NBA championships and has been named NBA Coach of the Year three times.
Popovich’s stroke is a reminder that even the most healthy people can be at risk for a stroke. According to the American Heart Association, stroke is the fifth leading cause of death in the United States.
The good news is that many strokes can be prevented. The American Heart Association recommends the following steps to reduce your risk of stroke:
- Control your blood pressure.
- Control your cholesterol.
- Get regular exercise.
- Eat a healthy diet.
- Don’t smoke.
- Limit alcohol intake.
- Manage your weight.
If you experience any of the symptoms of a stroke, such as sudden numbness or weakness on one side of your body, difficulty speaking or understanding speech, or vision problems, call 911 immediately.
