Hawks' Budenholzer still out after wife's medical emergency

ATLANTA (AP) Atlanta Hawks coach Mike Budenholzer says he will return to the team ''as soon as possible'' but for now will remain with his family following his

ATLANTA (AP) Atlanta Hawks coach Mike Budenholzer says he will return to the team ''as soon as possible'' but for now will remain with his family following his wife's undisclosed medical emergency.

Budenholzer missed Atlanta's game in Boston on Friday night after returning to Atlanta in the morning to attend to the emergency. He said in a team-released statement that he is ''cautiously optimistic'' about his wife's progress, and he thanked the Hawks and the ''NBA family'' for their support.

Top assistant Kenny Atkinson coached the Hawks in a 106-93 loss to the Celtics.

Budenholzer, who was last season's NBA coach of the year, is in his third season with Atlanta. He also took over as president of basketball operations after the departure of general manager Danny Ferry this season.

Budenholzer guided the Hawks to a franchise-record 60 wins and a spot in the Eastern Conference final last season.