Gregg Popovich 911 call reveals distressing moment legendary NBA coach was 'barely responding'
TMZ revealed details of the panicked call made by a man at Ruth's Chris Steak House in San Antonio on April 15.
The former Spurs coach, 76, was rushed to hospital after the incident which occurred just six months after he had a 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.
In the audio, you can hear the man tell the 911 operator that Popovich, who he didn't identify, had just passed out.
Describing Popovich as a 'guest', the man 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.'
Popovich suffered a stroke before the Spurs-Timberwolves game on November 2 and was replaced by Mitch Johnson for the final 77 games of the season.
He left fans concerned in recent weeks when he made his first public appearance in six months.
As Johnson was formally introduced as the team's new head coach, Popovich - who will be moving upstairs to the role of team president - revealed a shirt reading 'El Jefe' as he displayed his trademark wit.
But Popovich still showed some signs of his health issues, as he grabbed onto his former player Manu Ginobili at one point when turning around, while another one of his ex-Spurs stars, Tim Duncan, carried a cane for him.
He also spoke far more softly than he has in the past, as he said his health was improving.
Popovich, who has more wins than any other coach in the history of the NBA, led Team USA to Olympic gold at the 2020 Tokyo games.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mail
6 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Caitlin Clark's 'realistic' return date revealed as more worrying details emerge over WNBA star's injury
Caitlin Clark is expected to be out for a few more weeks as the WNBA superstar continues to struggle with injury. That is according to the latest reports on the Indiana Fever icon, who has sat out four consecutive games. She has now missed a total of 13 games this season. On Sunday, Clark was again absent for Indiana's clash with the Chicago Sky as she battles a groin problem picked up against the Connecticut Sun on July 15. Fever coach Stephanie White recently said that Clark is 'day-to-day' but, on Sunday, ESPN reported that the 23-year-old may not be back on the court until mid-August. 'She did see a specialist last week and no additional injury was found in that exam and scans,' Holly Rowe said on the Fever-Sky broadcast. 'Stephanie White did tell us that they will be even more cautious in their approach to her return to play this time.' Clark did not miss a single game at Iowa or during her rookie year in the WNBA but this is the latest in a number of issues for the 23-year-old. 'Last time when she came back from injury, she didn't get any practice time (or) any time to ramp up her conditioning,' Rowe explained. 'This time, they're going to make sure she has time and practices to get rhythm and time with her teammates. 'As you look at their schedule, the third week in August provides a few more practice days where that seems like it's realistic. While she does remain day-to-day, that's seems like a better timetable for a possible Caitlin Clark return.' Indiana faces five games over the next 11 days before their busy schedule eases up slightly, with only one game between August 16 and August 22. Clark is still traveling with the Fever and she was on the sidelines for Sunday's 93-78 win against the Sky. Angel Reese also missed the game after suffering a back injury.
Reuters
6 minutes ago
- Reuters
Twins All-Star OF Byron Buxton (rib cartilage) day-to-day
July 28 - Minnesota Twins All-Star center fielder Byron Buxton has cartilage irritation in his rib cage and his status is day-to-day, the team announced Sunday. Manager Rocco Baldelli said after Buxton's MRI exam on Sunday that the outfielder will not be placed on the injured list. "It's a good outcome," Baldelli said. "We'll see how he is tomorrow and so on, but to be day-to-day with what he left the game with, it's a good thing. We'll measure him out, get him looked at by the trainers each day, get him a lot of treatment and, hopefully, he'll be back very soon." Buxton, 31, left Saturday's 9-3 loss to the visiting Washington Nationals because of left-side soreness and sat out Sunday, when Harrison Bader started in center field and the Nationals won 7-2 in Minneapolis. Though Buxton has dealt with a spate of injuries throughout his career, the two-time All-Star has mostly been healthy this season except for going on the concussion injured list in May. Buxton is hitting .282 with 23 homers, 59 RBIs and 17 steals in 85 games this season. He has a .343 on-base percentage, .561 slugging percentage and .905 OPS. He is a career .249 hitter with 156 homers and 412 RBIs in 857 games for the Twins since the 2015 season. Buxton earned the Gold Glove for American League center fielders in 2017. Minnesota selected Buxton with the second overall pick of the 2012 MLB Draft. --Field Level Media
Reuters
6 minutes ago
- Reuters
De Minaur saves three match points to lift Washington Open title
July 27 (Reuters) - Alex De Minaur rallied from a set down and saved three match points to claim the Washington Open title with a 5-7 6-1 7-6(3) win over Alejandro Davidovich Fokina in the final of the ATP 500 event on Sunday. The pair exchanged breaks early in the opening set before Spain's Davidovich Fokina seized control by breaking again and closed out the set with the help of some crisp forehand winners. Australian De Minaur responded emphatically in the second set, converting two of four break-point opportunities while holding serve throughout, wrapping up the set in just over 30 minutes with an ace to level the contest. Davidovich Fokina looked in control of the decider when he broke to grab the lead but failed to serve out the match at 5-3, sending a forehand long to hand the break back to seventh seed De Minaur. Davidovich Fokina's frustration mounted as the 12th seed squandered three match points on De Minaur's serve, and the Australian then capitalised on a series of unforced errors in the tiebreak to edge the contest and lift his 10th career title.
