After what had been a promising last season, but Bucks are off to a rough 11-18 start this season, including a defense that went from feared to bottom five, and an offense that lacks shooting.
Now they have another challenge — head coach Jason Kidd is out indefinitely because of needed hip surgery that will take place Monday in New York, the Bucks announced Sunday.
“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 said in a released statement.
C.F. Gardner of the Milwaukee Journal added these details.
Kidd told players after Bucks beat Suns in Phoenix on Sunday. Dr. Edwin Su of Hospital of Special Surgery in NYC will do surgery.
— cfgardner (@cf_gardner) December 21, 2015
Kidd said he is having chronic pain and unable to sleep at night. Said injury stems from his time at Dallas late in his career.
— cfgardner (@cf_gardner) December 21, 2015
"The pain has been to the point that I can't function," Kidd said. "I've taken all the medicine I can do."
— cfgardner (@cf_gardner) December 21, 2015
"Some would say it's the 55,000 minutes I tried to play," Kidd said. "A lot of wear and tear on my body."
— cfgardner (@cf_gardner) December 21, 2015
"We maintained it (in Dallas) with medicine," Kidd said. "I've taken enough of the cortisone shots that they don't work."
— cfgardner (@cf_gardner) December 21, 2015
ESPN’s Marc Stein said that Kidd is likely out until February.
Assistant coach Joe Prunty will take over in the big chair.
“I have every confidence in Joe to lead our team during my absence,” Kidd said in the statement. “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.
At least he gets an easy start, the Bucks next game is against the Sixers.