Bob Rathbun seems to be on the mend.
On Monday night, before the Hawks faced the Thunder, the Atlanta Hawks play-by-play announcer suffered a medical emergency on the air. Rathbun convulsed and passed out as color commentator Dominique Wilkins spoke. The Hawks later announced that he suffered from dehydration and was taken to the hospital for further evaluation.
The Hawks and Bally Sports South East released a statement on Tuesday saying Rathbun was “in good spirits” and expected to leave hospital today.
“Bally Sports play-by-play announcer for the Atlanta Hawks, Bob Rathbun, remained overnight at Emory Midtown Hospital in Atlanta for observation and further testing,” the statement read. “As of this morning, all tests have gone very well and Bob is in good spirits. After the rest of the tests are done, Bob plans to leave the hospital later today. Bob’s health is of great concern to Bally Sports and the Atlanta Hawks, and he will not return to the broadcast booth until he is well rested and fully recovered.
Rathbun, 68, has been calling Hawks games on television since 1996.
Lauren Jbara, host and reporter for the Hawks on the network, soon filled in for Rathbun.
Jbara tweeted his best wishes to Rathbun on Monday night.
“Thinking of you @BobRathbunTV,” she said wrote. “He’s incredibly good at what he does and makes it look easy. Get well soon, Bob. We send prayers and hugs your way.”
It was Jbara’s second time on snap-by-play duty; he also filled in for Rathbun on half an hour’s notice last December after Rathbun tested positive for COVID-19.
.