Mike Budenholzer releases statement concerning absence from the team

Atlanta Hawks head coach and president of basketball operations Mike Budenholzer returned home prior to the team's close-fought loss to the Boston Celtics on Friday, and now, we have some clarity on what transpired. Budenholzer released the following statement on Saturday afternoon, shedding light on a medical situation regarding his wife.

"On Friday morning, I returned to Atlanta from Boston to be with my family due to an emergency medical situation involving my wife. We are encouraged by her progress to this point and remain cautiously optimistic.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank the doctors and support staff at Emory for the outstanding care they have provided my wife. I would also like to thank my coaching staff, our players and the entire Hawks organization for their support and encouragement during this time. We are humbled by the outpouring of support from so many friends and members of the NBA family. It is greatly appreciated.

Finally, I’d like to thank the media and our fans for respecting our family’s continued request for privacy during this period.

I will return to the team as soon as possible and will be happy to answer any basketball-related questions at that time."

First and foremost, we want to wish the best to Coach Budenholzer and his entire family.

Beyond that, it appears that Budenholzer will be taking some of a leave of absence until things stabilize, and his status for Sunday's game against the Utah Jazz is unknown. Assistant coach Kenny Atkinson will lead the squad moving forward until Budenholzer returns to the bench.

Stay tuned.