Clifford resting after heart procedure, Ewing to coach

After an overnight hospitalization for Steve Clifford, the new Bobcats head coach will rest during the game against the Knicks tonight. In his stead, assistant coach Patrick Ewing will coach against his former team.

The Bobcats said that Clifford had two stents inserted into his heart after he was admitted to the hospital with chest pains. Generally, stents are applied during angioplasties, non-surgical cardiovascular procedures. Catheters transport the necessary tools through the artery or arteries with blockage. In Clifford's case, the support he received was in the form of a stent, or a small mesh tube that expands to the size of the coronary artery and helps it stay open. My father has had similar procedures and these can be extremely serious. He'd undoubtedly offer his sympathies, especially for the catheter placement.

Thankfully, all went well and Clifford's resting comfortably now and is expected to return to the team soon, according to a team press release.