LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) — Charlotte Hornets head coach Steve Clifford is stepping away from the team to address his health and will miss an undetermined amount of time, the NBA club said Wednesday.
The Hornets said in a press release there is no timetable for Clifford’s return. The team did not provide any additional details on the situation “out of respect for Clifford’s privacy.”
The 56-year-old Clifford missed Monday’s victory against the Orlando Magic for what the team said was an illness.
He then missed the team’s practice on Tuesday.
Clifford is in his fifth season at the helm of the Hornets. He missed some time in his first season because of chest pain.
Hornets associate head coach Stephen Silas will serve as acting head coach during Clifford’s absence.
The Hornets, owned by NBA icon Michael Jordan, are 9-13 this season and host the NBA champion Golden State Warriors on Wednesday night.
© Agence France-Presse