Hornets head coach Steve Clifford cleared to return

After missing a little more than a month, Charlotte Hornets head coach Steve Clifford has been medically cleared to return.

In early December, Charlotte Hornets head coach Steve Clifford did not coach a game due to an illness and then he took an indefinite leave of absence a couple days later. There has been much news since, up to and past a month since Clifford took leave, but the Charlotte Observer confirmed Friday morning that Clifford has been medically cleared to return to his post.

Clifford is slated to return to practice with the team next Tuesday, with his first game back coming the following night against the Washington Wizards. Clifford’s medical condition was not disclosed initially and had not been disclosed. But the Observer reported he has been suffering from severe headaches since before the start of the season. Headaches are obviously nothing to sneeze at, but they have to be put on the lower end of major medical concerns and more importantly any speculation about what Clifford is dealing with can now be put to bed.

In Clifford’s absence, entering Friday night’s game against the Utah Jazz, the Hornets have a 6-11 record (5-5 over their last 10 games) under interim head coach Stephen Silas. They are 15-24 overall (third place in the Southeast Division), and a full five games out of a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference right now. After a home back-to-back against the Jazz and the Oklahoma City Thunder Friday and Saturday night, Charlotte will play the Detroit Pistons on Martin Luther King Day before Clifford returns as head coach.

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Clifford probably would not have been cleared medically if there wasn’t a very good chance he’ll be able to coach the rest of the season without any issues. After that he may have to evaluate his health and future, beyond any questions about his job status attached to the team’s performance.