Coach Pop not expected to return for remainder of season, Wemby's season highs, and more

(1) Coach Pop is not expected to return for the remainder of the season (2) Looking back at some of Wemby's season high numbers (3) De'Aaron Fox and Stephon Castle vs the Pistons

Before jumping into a Saturday evening edition of The Off Day, I first want to look at some breaking news that was reported Saturday evening.

According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, San Antonio Spurs Head Coach Gregg Popovich is not expected to return to the sideline this season, and his future remains uncertain, as he continues to recover from the mild stroke he suffered back on November 2.

The team has not provided an update on Coach Popovich since a statement issued from him on December 16, that stated:

This has certainly been an unexpected six weeks for my family and me. 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.

No one is more excited to see me return to the bench than the talented individuals who have been leading my rehabilitation process. They’ve quickly learned that I’m less than coachable.

This week, the Spurs announced Victor Wembanyama will also miss the rest of the season due to a blood clot issue in his right shoulder. According to Charania, Wemby “is emotionally doing well,” according to his sources. Charania said Wemby and Coach Pop have been in “very active communication” and speaking frequently since Wemby’s diagnosis.

Charania said Coach Pop is progressing in his recovery and getting stronger. “There will be a time and place in the future where he will make determinations and address his long term future,” said Charania of Coach Pop.

For this edition of The Off Day, I’ll be looking at the following topics:

• (1) Wemby’s Season High Numbers

• (2) De’Aaron Fox on offense vs the Pistons

• (3) The curious case of Stephon Castle only logging 13 minutes against Detroit

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(1) Wemby’s Season High Numbers

It’s a bummer Wemby is going to have to miss the rest of this season. As I was updating some of my stat databases with numbers from the Spurs’ two games in Austin, I wanted to revisit some of Wemby’s season high numbers that he posted in different areas this season. I’ll attach some film clips for some of the stats too.

• Season high paint points - In the Christmas Day game against the New York Knicks, Wemby scored a season high 20 paint points. 37% of Wemby’s total points were scored in the paint this season.

Wemby’s season high alley-oop makes

On November 15 against the Los Angeles Lakers, Wemby finished a season high 4 alley-oops in the game. 18% of Wemby’s paint points this season were off alley-oop finishes.

• Season high free throw makes - Wemby made a season high 10 free throws twice this season, and in both games, the opponent was the Portland Trail Blazers. 14% of Wemby’s points this season were scored at the foul line.