Gregg Popovich breaks silence on stroke as Spurs legend remains out

Gregg Popovich has made his first public comments since suffering from a mild stroke.

Popovich, 75, had the medical event before a game in early November and has been away from the Spurs ever since.

On Monday, the longtime head coach issued a statement through the team’s social media accounts.

“This has certainly been an unexpected six weeks for my family and me,” Popovich began.

“As we work together on my recovery, I want to take a moment to share that the outpouring of support we’ve received during this time has been truly overwhelming in the best possible way. 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.”

He concluded the message with some of his trademark caustic humor.

“No one is more excited to see me return to the bench than the talented individuals who have been leading my rehabilitation process,” Popovich wrote.

“They’ve quickly learned that I’m less than coachable.”

An exact timetable for Popovich’s return was not specified in the statement.

Popovich has been the Spurs’ head coach since taking over midway through the 1996-97 season.

The franchise has won four NBA championships and has a 1,401-834 record in the regular season and a 170-114 record in the playoffs during his tenure.

This season, the Spurs are 13-13 and currently seeded 11th in the Western Conference.

They are one game behind the Lakers and Clippers, who are both 14-12, for the 9th and 10th seeds, which would put them in position to make the Play-In Tournament.