The NBA drama never hits a pause. Teams rise and fall, trades shake rosters, and injuries rewrite destinies. But some stories still hit harder. The San Antonio Spurs, once an unshakable dynasty under Gregg Popovich, have been without their leader for five long months. The Spurs claimed at first that the head coach was under the weather. However, soon they named it as a ‘mild’ stroke—or so they claimed. Now, unsettling truths about what really happened are coming to light.

The 25-year-old Spurs star and Gregg Popovich‘s chosen one, Keldon Johnson was there at the Frost Bank Center the day things changed for the franchise. Johnson was getting his extra work and treatment ahead of their face-off vs. the Minnesota Timberwolves in November 2024. Coach Pop (then 75) stuck to his essential pregame routine, bracing for the NBA grind.

But suddenly, the boss stepped away from his workout—something was definitely wrong. Deep inside the arena’s maze, he stood frozen. Staff nearby saw it immediately. Without hesitation, they caught him, sitting him down. Keldon Johnson was nearby, he could hear the commotion as Pop began receiving medical attention. “I couldn’t see him,” Johnson told ESPN, recalling the moments of panic and horror. “But to see how everybody was talking about it was scary.”

Johnson tried to reach Coach Pop, but the staff had already stepped in. They led Popovich straight to an ambulance, rushing him to the hospital. Few knew what had just unfolded. “Nobody really wanted to say anything,” the 25YO hooper said. “Nobody wanted to let us in and tell us what was really going on. The unknown was really tough.”

Meanwhile, reporters waited for Popovich, but he never showed. At first, no one questioned it—he’d missed pressers before. Then came the announcement: he was “under the weather” and Assistant Coach Mitch Johnson would take over for the night. But behind the scenes, panic set in. The rock of the Spurs had suffered something far worse. Weeks passed before players could even speak to him. Months before he could stand before them again.

At the same time, five months changed everything for the franchise in Pop’s absence. The Spurs landed De’Aaron Fox in a blockbuster trade. Stephen Castle shined. And, Victor Wembanyama’s season ended in a heartbreaking injury. But Gregg Popovich? He hasn’t coached since that horrifying night in November. His recovery is ahead of schedule, yet his future remains uncertain.

Gregg Popovich’s return to the sidelines remains a big question for the San Antonio Spurs

For decades, Gregg Popovich was the Spurs. He built, shaped, and led them through every era. Then, in one moment, everything changed. The future he once controlled now hangs in the balance. For the first time in 30 years, he’s on a different sideline—fighting to return. Moreover, the 76-year-old legend has his influence all over San Antonio. From the Bird Bakery where he got some custom-made cookies for his 70th birthday to the fine dining restaurant where he’s an investor. Coach Pop and San Antonio go hand-in-hand.

The reality also lies in the fact that Popovich’s influence on basketball can never be fully explained. Meanwhile, former Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski, recently told ESPN: “Pop is as good a coach as there has ever been in any sport.”

At the same time, the ex-Duke coach admired Gregg Popovich’s leadership, his voice beyond basketball, and their shared military roots. But their paths diverged. Krzyzewski chose his exit and planned his future. Popovich wasn’t there yet. Coaching still fueled him, especially with Wembanyama leading the next era. And for the Spurs, that was never in question. “It’s Pop’s decision,” a source told ESPN. “He’s earned that.”

It seems the timeline for Coach Pop’s return is unpredictable. However, the Spurs HC also recently declared that he is planning to return next season as he’s taking time to rehab and recover this time. But, only time will tell how fit the legend it going to be to take over his duties on the sideline.