Malone, who has roamed the Nuggets’ sideline for 10 seasons, credited Popovich with helping him get hired by Cleveland (2005) and New Orleans (2010) as an assistant, en route to his first head coaching job with Sacramento. Now he’s the fourth-longest tenured coach in the league with Denver, behind only Popovich, Erik Spoelstra and Steve Kerr.

Right before the San Antonio Spurs announced that Hall of Fame Head Coach Gregg Popovich would not return to the bench this season, he addressed the team. New star De’Aaron Fox had not seen Pop in person since he joined the franchise.

San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich talks to guard Chris Paul (3) and center Victor Wembanyama (1) during the first half of their NBA preseason game with Orlando at the Frost Bank Center on Wednesday, Oct 9, 2024. San Antonio beat Orlando 107-97.

San Antonio's longtime coach says he will not return to the sidelines in 2024-25 as he continues to recover from his stroke.

I will continue to focus on my health,” said the 76-year-old Spurs coach, who has been sidelined since suffering a stroke in November.

The 76-year-old met with San Antonio management Thursday, and he and the team released a statement afterward about his status.

The San Antonio Spurs have been coached by Gregg Popovich for 29 years. Since taking over as head coach in 1996, Popovich has become arguably the greatest NBA coach of all time. With such a lengthy résumé,