Gregg Popovich Makes Rare Public Appearance After Hospitalization, Gets Standing Ovation from Fans at NBA Game

Gregg Popovich was honored with a standing ovation during a rare public appearance at an NBA game.

On Friday, Jan. 23, the former San Antonio Spurs coach, 76, visited the H-E-B Center at Cedar Park, Texas, to show his support for the Austin Spurs as they faced off against the Capital City Go-Go in a G League game, as seen in a video shared on social media.

As the Hall of Fame coach made his way across the court with his cane in hand, fans got out of their seats to cheer and applaud him.

The rare public appearance comes almost a year after he was hospitalized after reportedly fainting at a restaurant.

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On April 15, 2025, Popovich was rushed to the hospital after officials received a call about a person who had “fainted” during dinner, TMZ Sports reported at the time. Footage from the day showed the football legend being placed in the back of an ambulance outside of a steakhouse in San Antonio.

Officials told the outlet that the patient was taken to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries or illness. 

Just a few weeks later, the San Antonio Spurs announced on social media that the NBA’s all-time winningest coach would be transitioning from the bench to a new role as the team’s president of basketball operations. 

“While my love and passion for the game remain, I’ve decided it’s time to step away as head coach,” Popovich said in a May 2 statement. “I’m forever grateful to the wonderful players, coaches, staff and fans who allowed me to serve them as the Spurs head coach and am excited for the opportunity to continue to support the organization, community and city that are so meaningful to me.”

Popovich, who won five NBA titles with the Spurs, was last seen in public at a press conference in May, while introducing Mitch Johnson as the team’s new head coach.

Months before the change in role, the San Antonio Spurs revealed that Popovich suffered a “mild stroke” in November 2024.

“The episode occurred on Nov. 2 at the Frost Bank Center,” the team wrote on social media. “Popovich, who has already started a rehabilitation program, is expected to make a full recovery.”

The following month, Popovich took a moment to thank everyone for their “outpouring of support” throughout his recovery. 

“This has certainly been an unexpected six weeks for my family and me,” he wrote on X on Dec. 16, 2024. “While I wish I could get back to each one of you, for now, let me say that my family and I are forever grateful. We’re thankful for our wonderful community, the entire Spurs organization, and our family and friends.”