Despite not having a winning record since 2019, the San Antonio Spurs have been one of the most stable franchises since 1996. Granted, they have had their fair share of superstars contribute to their five titles, and Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili, Tony Parker, David Robinson, and Kawhi Leonard all deserve their flowers, but their guiding hand for nearly 30 years has been Gregg Popovich.

Coach Pop has more wins than any other coach and did it all with the same team. He is still listed as the head coach of the Spurs, but has been rehabbing since November after suffering a mild stroke, and has been away from the team.

Compounding that with Victor Wembanyama’s deep vein thrombosis diagnosis, a once-promising season has been nothing short of tumultuous for the Silver and Black.

Jan 2, 2024; Memphis, Tennessee, USA; San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich (left) talks with forward Keldon Johnson (3) during the second half against the Memphis Grizzlies at FedEx Forum. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-USA TODAY Sports

On Thursday, Popovich released a statement through the Spurs for the first time since his medical news broke.

“I’ve decided not to return to the sidelines this season,” Popovich said in the statement. “Mitch Johnson and his staff have done a wonderful job, and the resolve and professionalism the players have shown, sticking together through a challenging season, has been outstanding.

“I will continue to focus on my health with the hope I can return to coaching in the future.”

As usual, the often-private organization has played things close to the chest, but it was later revealed that Popovich had met with the team in-person, offering advice, praise, and support in what was an emotional meeting.

Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images

Despite never playing for Popovich (although he nearly made the 2019 FIBA World Cup team), De’Aaron Fox has nothing but respect for Popovich. The Spurs traded for him in early February, and he has played only under acting head coach Mitch Johnson, and his first meeting with Popovich came with the rest of the team.

After Saturday’s win over the Memphis Grizzlies, Fox shared the impact Popovich has already left.

“I think it’s inspirational, obviously, going through the things that he’s going through,” Fox told reporters.

“And him trying to fight back just to be out there is a testament to who he is as a person, and you can tell that he really wants to be back out there, but he says if he can’t be 100 percent himself, then he’s doing everybody a disservice.

“You continue to pray for him, you continue to want him to get better because it’s much bigger than basketball, it’s about his life, this isn’t about basketball.

“It was definitely great seeing him, I talked to him when I got traded just on the phone, so that was my first time seeing him since being a Spur, so that was just great.”

Before being traded, Fox played five straight road games with the Sacramento Kings and then suited up for 11 games on the road with his new team, and he will make his Frost Bank Center debut on Sunday against the Oklahoma City Thunder.