THE DRIVE FROM Keldon Johnson`s ranch in Boerne, Texas, to the Frost Bank Center used to be predictable. Thirty minutes on weekends, 45 during the week. But now, due to extensive construction on nearly every major highway, he has to leave much earlier.
San Antonio and the Spurs are experiencing rapid growth, filled with new energy and residents occupying the once-vast open spaces of this part of Texas.
Even before the Spurs drafted Victor Wembanyama as the No. 1 overall pick in 2023, this energy inspired coach Gregg Popovich. In 2022, after years of leading veteran teams, he remarked, “What`s most enjoyable is they are like young, clean slates. You start from the ground up and teach.”
Johnson, at 25 the Spurs` longest-serving player, has learned to follow Popovich`s example. This is why they both arrived at the arena early on the afternoon of November 2, 2024.
Johnson was there for extra practice and treatment before a game against the Minnesota Timberwolves. Popovich, then 75, was there to complete his pregame workout routine, essential for navigating the NBA season grind.
However, shortly after finishing his workout near the team`s locker room within the arena`s network of hallways, Popovich suddenly stopped. Team staff nearby noticed something was wrong and assisted him, according to sources.
They immediately helped Popovich sit down.
Nearby, Johnson heard the commotion as the coach began receiving medical attention.
“I couldn`t see him,” Johnson told ESPN. “But the way everyone was talking about it was frightening.”
Johnson tried to approach, but team staff were already attending to Popovich, eventually leading him to an ambulance and a nearby hospital. Only a few players, staff, and arena employees understood what had happened.
“Nobody really wanted to say anything,” Johnson said. “Nobody wanted to let us in and tell us what was really going on. The uncertainty was really tough.”
Around 5:15 p.m., reporters gathered for Popovich`s pregame press conference. While he is usually punctual, it wasn`t unusual for him to be late or miss these sessions. Once last season, he was delayed by traffic from the team’s new practice facility.
He has also missed games for minor medical procedures or personal reasons. An assistant coach would typically fill in.
So, it didn`t immediately cause alarm when Spurs spokesman Tom James announced around 5:30 that Popovich was “under the weather” and assistant coach Mitch Johnson would lead the team that night.
Behind the scenes, however, word began to spread that what had happened to Popovich—the foundation of the successful Spurs franchise—was serious, possibly life-threatening.
It took time for doctors to determine the extent of the damage after what was diagnosed as a mild stroke. Players couldn`t speak with him for weeks. It was months before he was strong enough to walk and address the team directly.
“It`s been very tough for me,” Johnson said. “He`s been our role model since I arrived. He`s been that leader.”
Much has occurred in the five months since. The Spurs made a significant trade for All-NBA guard De`Aaron Fox. Stephon Castle has emerged as a Rookie of the Year contender. Wembanyama showed superstar potential before being sidelined for the season with a blood clot in his arm.
But Popovich hasn`t coached since that night and will not return this season. Veteran Harrison Barnes mentioned Popovich is recovering “ahead of schedule.” Another source indicated his five-month progress is comparable to nine months for many stroke patients. Yet, it remains uncertain if he will coach next season.
It`s a new reality for everyone. The deep connection between Popovich and the Spurs has been fundamental to the franchise`s success. They evolved together, aged, and rebuilt. Until Popovich`s sudden stop in November, everyone faced a crossroads. The long-discussed succession plan became urgent, and decisions that were once his might no longer be.
For the first time in three decades, the man central to the city and franchise has been on a different sideline—fighting to return.
REMINDERS of Popovich`s influence are everywhere in San Antonio. Bird Bakery in Alamo Heights, where he ordered custom cookies for his 70th birthday. Battalion, an Italian restaurant in Firehouse 7 where he`s an investor. Bar Loretta, a favorite French bistro in Southtown. Every server has a Popovich story.
Johnson has stories too. Popovich invited Johnson and his rookie class to a fancy dinner at Bliss, a Southtown restaurant. “He was like, `Y`all try these oysters,`” Johnson recalled. “And Quinndary [Weatherspoon] was like, `I’ve never had oysters.`”
“You want to play?” Popovich said. “You better try the oysters.”
Johnson tried the oysters, passing Popovich`s first test. Over the next five years, more tests followed.
In 2021, Popovich invited Johnson to the national team camp, saying, “I need you ready because I`m vouching for you.” Johnson thought it was junior team camp, still daunting.
But Popovich saw more in him, and after a strong camp, chose him for the Olympic team.
“He`s really shaped who I am,” Johnson said. “People think Pop is stern. No, he`s one of the best humans I know. He treats everyone well and puts others first.”
His legacy is secure, even if he`d retired in 2014 after San Antonio`s last championship. The five trophies from their 22-year playoff run under Popovich and R.C. Buford are in The Rock, the largest mass timber sports facility in North America.
Opened in 2023 at 1 Spurs Way, the $500 million, 45-acre venue includes Spurs facilities, parks, restaurants, trails, an LED screen, and planned medical center. It reflects Popovich`s values.
Inside the 134,000-square-foot building is Popovich’s mantra, The Stonecutter`s Credo:
“When nothing seems to help, I go and look at a stonecutter hammering away at his rock perhaps a hundred times without as much as a crack showing in it. Yet at the hundred and first blow it will split in two, and I know it was not that blow that did it, but all that had gone before.”
This quote from Jacob Riis permeates Popovich and the Spurs, though he downplays his role. But it’s the Spurs Way.
“I was tasked to create an environment for success,” he said at his 2023 Hall of Fame ceremony, delayed until his coached Hall of Famers were inducted.
Popovich`s impact on basketball and the Spurs is immeasurable.
“Pop is as good a coach as there ever has been,” Mike Krzyzewski told ESPN.
Their bond grew later in their careers.
“We connected when he became national coach while I still was,” Krzyzewski said. “We became close, and I wish we`d been closer earlier.”
He admired Popovich’s leadership and community engagement. They bonded over military backgrounds: Krzyzewski, Army; Popovich, Air Force.
Krzyzewski planned his 2022 retirement at 75, choosing Jon Scheyer as successor. He was ready for less travel and recruiting, with post-Duke and family life planned.
Popovich wasn`t ready. His coaching passion remains, especially for the young team led by Wembanyama. The Spurs agreed.
“It`s Pop`s decision,” someone close said. “He`s earned that.”
THAT HAS BEEN the Spurs` succession plan for a decade. Each summer, Popovich considered his passion. Buford and Co. waited, trusting his honesty about what was best.
Over years, assistants were discussed as successors: Mike Brown, Mike Budenholzer, Brett Brown—all became head coaches elsewhere. Then Ime Udoka, Becky Hammon, Will Hardy, James Borrego, Monty Williams, Taylor Jenkins. Popovich outlasted them.
Last year, Steve Kerr was mentioned as a successor if he didn`t extend with Golden State. But Kerr re-signed, expected to stay as long as Stephen Curry plays.
So Mitch Johnson became interim head coach in November. Less experienced than other candidates, Johnson played at Stanford, rose in the Spurs system, and impressed in coaching circles, interviewing for a Toronto head coach job last summer.
“Seeing him there isn`t shocking. He belongs,” said Brook Lopez, a former Stanford teammate.
“Such a smart player, highest basketball IQ,” Lopez added. “He sees the game differently. We called him `maestro`.”
James, Spurs communications head for 30 years, knew Los Angeles media didn`t know Johnson before a game against the Clippers on November 4.
“For those not from San Antonio, our coach tonight is Mitch Johnson,” James announced before Johnson spoke.
The mood was somber. Popovich’s situation was still unclear.
Earlier that day, officials told the team Popovich had a stroke. He was hospitalized, severity unknown.
It was a difficult update. After two days of uncertainty, the seriousness was revealed. Players knew only that their leader was taken away by ambulance.
Before tipoff, Chris Paul spoke for the players near the locker room.
“We know he`s watching,” Paul said. “He’ll tell us what he sees. Everyone misses him because he`s Pop. His presence calms everyone.”
Mitch Johnson gave his own heartfelt statement about Popovich before warming up with Wembanyama and the team. “Pop`s impact… is hard to articulate,” he said. “He`s been tremendous for me. His health is priority No. 1… I spoke to him last night. He`s in good spirits. He`s OK, and we can’t wait for him back.”
The Spurs started strong against the Clippers, leading by 26 in the first quarter. But emotions took over.
They lost, 113-104.
SAN ANTONIO changes rapidly, but the Spurs move deliberately. Changes happen quietly, announced with minimal fanfare.
In nine years, leadership quietly shifted from Peter Holt, who retired in 2016, to his ex-wife, Julianna Hawn Holt, and their children, Peter John Holt and Corrina Holt Richter, on the board. Minority owners and partners joined, including Michael Dell, Joe Gebbia, and the McCombs family, who returned in 2023.
These are major changes for a franchise. In larger markets, they`d be huge news. For the Spurs, local stories were minimal, and operations continued as usual.
This is due to Popovich and Buford, who met 39 years ago at Kansas and have been close since. Buford is CEO, Popovich president and coach, and Brian Wright is GM since 2019.
The organization acts with clarity, not speculation.
The Spurs issued four updates on Popovich since November 2. First, he wouldn`t travel to Los Angeles. Then, on November 13, he had a mild stroke, expected to recover fully.
On December 16, Popovich thanked everyone for support, joking, “no one is more excited for my return than my rehab team. They`ve learned I`m less than coachable.”
Finally, on February 27, he announced he wouldn`t return this season but hoped to coach in the future.
Between statements, he recovered. After hospital release, he began walking again months later, sources said.
He communicated with staff, front office, and players throughout rehab, players and officials said. Keldon Johnson said Popovich`s texts and calls showed he was closely following the team.
“He`ll say he`s proud, that he loved me,” Johnson said. “In a long season, those conversations push me through.”
By late January, Popovich could address the team in person. But the Rodeo road trip starting February 3 complicated timing. Initially, sources said he`d address them after the All-Star break. But plans changed when Wembanyama had shoulder pain in Wyoming.
Two days later, Wembanyama was ruled out for the season with a blood clot.
On February 27, between games in Houston and Memphis, Popovich spoke to his team at The Rock. His absence, Wembanyama`s news, and the long road trip had taken a toll. The Spurs had lost four straight, missing the playoffs.
On the practice court, Popovich told them he wouldn`t return this season. But he was watching and holding them accountable.
“Everyone shut up when he walked in,” Johnson said. “That`s always Pop. He`s still recovering, but he was still cussing. `Y`all need defense. Rebound.` Knowing he`s watching, calling out specifics, was huge.”
“It was needed. He brought that spark, that Pop we know and love. He didn’t skip a beat.”
He spoke slower, more measured. In a sweatsuit, Popovich discussed the future, hoping to be back on the bench. But he cautioned, reiterating his standard:
“If I can`t be 100% myself, I`m doing everyone a disservice.”
Silence and nods followed his words.
“It`s bigger than basketball,” Fox said. “It`s about his life.”
The message resonated.
“It`s inspiring,” Fox said. “What he`s going through, fighting back to be there. It shows who he is. He really wants to return.”
Fox, who will miss the season with a finger injury, had only spoken to Popovich by phone since joining in February. This was their first meeting.
“It went from serious to laughing, back to serious and laughing,” Fox said. “He keeps people engaged, why he`s done this so long. We want him healthy, but I`d love to be coached by Pop.”
MUCH HAS CHANGED in San Antonio since Popovich arrived in 1988, but some things remain constant.
People leave the Spurs but often return to San Antonio. It`s a forever home. Once Spurs family, always a place.
Monty Williams returned after his wife`s death in 2016. Again after being fired in Phoenix and Detroit. He coaches his sons and Tim Duncan`s son at TMI Episcopal High School.
Duncan never left after retiring in 2016. Ginobili took a Spurs job, bringing his twins to games. Parker has returned several times, planning his basketball future.
Mike Brown, Danny Ferry, and Chris Grant also returned between jobs.
This is the Spurs Way, Popovich`s enduring culture. The question is how it evolves without him.
It`s a decade-long question, seemingly unreal despite recent events. To most, including Popovich, alternatives are unimaginable.
But change has occurred. Popovich has increasingly delegated coaching duties. He empowered assistants to coach in his place.
He even moved from his longtime Dominion home to a Southtown penthouse. He sold his beloved four-bedroom house during the 2020 pandemic.
His children are grown. His wife, Erin, passed away in 2018. Everything changed, and he adapted.
In his Hall of Fame speech, the private man acknowledged his journey and future hopes.
He thanked his children, Mickey and Jill, for their support and praised his grandchildren, Bridget and Finn.
“My wife Erin was our rock,” he said. “My daughter Jill keeps us on track.”
He`s fought this year to return to the life he built for family, team, and city—and decide, on his own terms, when to step away.