Legendary NBA coach Gregg Popovich found himself with 32 fewer wins on his career ledger after the league made an official adjustment to its record books.
The Story Behind the Numbers
The San Antonio Spurs head coach was sidelined for 77 games last season following a stroke he suffered on November 2, 2024. Since Popovich wasn’t calling the shots during those contests, the NBA transferred those games—including 32 victories—to Mitch Johnson, who stepped in as interim coach and has since taken over as the Spurs’ permanent head coach.
Where His Record Stands Now
The revision brought Popovich’s official tally to 1,390 wins and 824 losses. While his win total dropped, his overall winning percentage actually climbed from .621 to .628. What matters most? This change doesn’t touch Popovich’s position as the NBA’s all-time winningest coach—he still sits comfortably 53 victories ahead of Don Nelson.
A Hall of Fame Legacy Unchanged
The adjustment barely scratches the surface of Popovich’s remarkable career. His trophy case includes five NBA championships and three NBA Coach of the Year awards. He also guided Team USA to Olympic gold in 2020.
During his time with the Spurs, Popovich worked with six Hall of Famers: Tim Duncan, David Robinson, Dominique Wilkins, Tony Parker, Manu Ginobili, and Pau Gasol. Even after wrapping up his coaching career after the 2024-25 season, Popovich continues his influence with the organization as team president.
This isn’t the first time the NBA has made such adjustments. Back in 1979, when Lakers coach Jack McKinney was injured in a bicycle accident, Paul Westhead took the reins. The league gave McKinney credit for his 10-4 start while Westhead received recognition for his 50-18 record, each reflecting the games they actually coached.
The move underscores how the NBA prioritizes precision when tracking who was actually running the show on any given night.
