NBA: Hornets have to give up coach Clifford indefinitely

Charlotte Hornets will have to give up head coach Steve Clifford indefinitely, as the team announced on Wednesday. He will be replaced on an interim basis by Stephen Silas.

Out of “respect for Clifford’s privacy”, the Hornets did not give the exact reason why Clifford moved away from the team in the press release, but it was about “health problems”that the coach had to deal with. For the time being, there is no timetable for when Clifford will return to his position.

Silas normally works as an Associate Head Coach for Hornets and will now fill in for Clifford. With a 9-13 record, the Hornets are currently ranked in twelfth place at the Eastern Conference.

Clifford, 56, has been Head Coach for Hornets since 2013.