Minnesota Timberwolves' Coach Randy Wittman is preparing for back surgery and will miss Tuesday night's game against the Los Angeles Lakers.

Wittman is scheduled to have surgery Wednesday, and the team says it's unclear when he will resume his duties. Assistant coach Jerry Sichting will be in charge of the Wolves in Wittman's absence.

In a news release, Wittman says his condition has been getting worse and that doctors advised him to have the surgery as soon as possible so that he can coach for the rest of the season.