The Milwaukee Bucks are about to face another challenge this season as their head coach, Jason Kidd will undergo hip surgery. Reports said that he will be out indefinitely.
Joe Prunty, a long-time NBA assistant, will be leading the Bucks while Kidd is out. According to NBC Sports, Kidd is hoping to return to the office in a couple of weeks, though it is unclear when he might be able to lead the team again.
"Trust me, as soon as soon as we are able to be talking with him, we'll definitely be in touch," Prunty said Monday.
The Milwaukee Bucks announced the news after their game with the Phoenix Suns on Sunday where they won with 101-95, wrapping their four-game Western Conference road trip.
Kidd, 42, said that he got the injury back in the days when he was playing his second stint with the Dallas Mavericks between 2008 and 2012. The pain has become chronic, and periodic shots of cortisone have no effect.
"The pain has been to the point where I can't function. I've taken all the medicine that I can do," Kidd said.
Currently, Kidd is in his second season coaching the Bucks and third season overall as an NBA head coach, according to the NBA's official website.
On the other hand, Pruntyu is in his second year as an assistant coach with the Bucks. He also served as an assistance coach under Kidd for the Brooklyn Nets over the 2013-2014 campaign. He is currently in his 20th season in the NBA.
"I have every confidence in Joe to lead our team during my absence," said Kidd. "Joe has many years of coaching experience both in the NBA and in international competition. He's well-respected in the league and I know our players and coaches will give their all during Joe's time as head coach."
"I tried to put off surgery for as long as I could, but after consulting with my doctor, he advised that the best course of action was to have the procedure now," Kidd added.