'Heartbroken' NBA fans paid tribute to Gregg Popovich after the legendary Spurs coach was spotted in the stands at the NBA Finals, around a year after a terrifying health scare.
The 77-year-old, who has the most wins of any coach in NBA history, spent nearly three decades as head coach of San Antonio before stepping away from the bench last May to become president of basketball operations.
Popovich suffered a stroke before a game in November 2024 and was hospitalized last April after reportedly fainting at a restaurant.
On Wednesday night, cameras panned to Popovich during Game 1 of the NBA Finals, when the New York Knicks upset the Spurs in San Antonio.
The 77-year-old remains the Spurs' president of basketball operations, and the footage of Popovich staring ahead, open-mouthed, sparked concern and well-wishes among fans.
'Seeing him like this breaks my heart,' one wrote. 'I know they're playing for Pop.' Popovich led the Spurs to all five of their NBA titles between 1999 and 2014.
'Startling to see him like that and sad,' another fan wrote, while a third added: 'A legend watching the team he helped build compete on the biggest stage. You love to see it.'
One fan said Popovich turning up to the game despite all his health struggles was 'loyalty personified.'
'Popovich being there to support the guys tells you everything you need to know about what the Spurs organization is built on,' they wrote. 'Love to see him in the building.'
Back in January, Popovich was seen supporting San Antonio's G-League affiliate, the Austin Spurs, at a game in Cedar Park, Texas. Popovich used a walking stick as he hobbled across the court.
A clip showed the 77-year-old waving to the crowd, who gave him a rousing reception in Texas. He also shook hands with several young fans and posed for photographs.
It was the first time Popovich had been seen in public since May, when he turned up to a press conference to introduce his replacement, Mitch Johnson.
That day, he revealed a shirt which read 'El Jefe' and 'Senor Popovich' before declaring: 'I'm no longer coach... I'm El Jefe.'
Popovich said his health was improving but signs of his struggles were obvious. Later that month, a 911 call of the moment he was 'barely responding' at a restaurant came to light.
TMZ revealed details of the panicked call, which was made by a man at Ruth's Chris Steak House in San Antonio on April 15. The former Spurs coach was rushed to the hospital after the incident, which occurred just six months after his mild stroke.
Worrying footage later emerged of the five-time NBA champion lying on a stretcher and being placed into an ambulance after reportedly fainting.
Describing Popovich as a 'guest', the caller said he was 'non-responding' before later changing his phrasing to 'barely responding.' Moments later, he noted that Popovich was starting to come around. 'Ok. He's responding now,' the man says. 'He passed out for a little bit.'
