NBA: Atlanta coach Budenholzer takes leave of absence for wife's illness

Atlanta Hawks coach Mike Budenholzer is taking a leave of absence due to his wife's illness. PHOTO: AFP

(REUTERS) - Atlanta Hawks coach Mike Budenholzer is taking an indefinite leave of absence owing to his wife's "emergency medical situation", the National Basketball Association team said on Saturday.

The Hawks did not disclose details of his wife's condition and the coach said in a statement he would "return to the team as soon as possible".

Budenhozler is in his third season in charge of the Hawks, who are 8-3 this season.

The 46-year-old never played in the NBA but spent 17 years as an assistant coach with the San Antonio Spurs before taking the top job in Atlanta in 2013.

In his second season with the Hawks, he guided them to top spot in the East with a 60-22 record in the regular season, before they were swept 4-0 by Cleveland in the Eastern Conference finals.

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