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2mo ago

NBA Credits 77 Spurs Games to Mitch Johnson, Revises Popovich’s Career Record

Reattribution of the 32-45 performance officially launches Mitch Johnson’s coaching ledger, cementing Gregg Popovich’s all-time wins lead

Gregg Popovich on Monday made his first public appearance since he suffered a mild stroke last November, attending the news conference to introduce Mitch Johnson as his successor as head coach of the Spurs. In the wake of Popovich's long absence last season after suffering a stroke and his subsequent retirement from coaching, the NBA decided the 77 games coached by then-interim head coach Johnson should go on his ledger and not Popovich's.
Feb 14, 2024; Dallas, Texas, USA; San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich watches the game between the Dallas Mavericks and the San Antonio Spurs during the second half at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports/File Photo
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Overview

  • The NBA removed the final 77 games from Popovich’s statistics and reassigned them to Johnson after consulting with Spurs leadership
  • Mitch Johnson’s official coaching record now stands at 32 wins and 45 losses from his interim tenure following Popovich’s November stroke
  • Gregg Popovich’s career totals reset to 1,390-824, preserving his 55-win margin over Don Nelson as the league’s winningest coach
  • The decision follows a 1979-80 precedent when Paul Westhead assumed the Lakers’ bench for an injured Jack McKinney and inherited that season’s results
  • Johnson, who guided San Antonio to a 34-48 finish, was formally promoted to permanent head coach in May