Wizards' Saunders to miss game

WASHINGTON, March 2 (UPI) -- Washington Coach Flip Saunders will miss the Wizards' home game against Golden State Wednesday night to deal with a medical emergency concerning his mother.

Assistant coach Randy Wittman will take Saunders' place courtside.

Kay Saunders, 90, who lives in suburban Cleveland, has been in poor health since late December and was recently placed in intensive care, The Washington Post reported.

The newspaper said one person with knowledge of the situation said she is gravely ill.

Saunders, who was not at practice Tuesday and could be gone for a few days, missed a Dec. 29 game to be with his mother, and has missed a few practices since then, as well.

The Wizards are 15-44 and the Warriors are 26-33.