Ex-USWNT star Holiday undergoing brain surgery; husband Jrue to miss time

Family over everything for New Orleans Pelicans point guard Jrue Holiday.

Holiday's wife Lauren, a two-time Olympic gold medalist for the U.S. women's soccer team, retired last year with plans to start a family. They're expecting their firstborn sometime during the 2016-17 NBA season.

But there's been a complication. Doctors discovered a small benign tumor in the right side of Lauren's brain after she started experiencing painful headaches, Jeff Duncan of NOLA.com writes.

Fortunately, physicians assessed that the tumor was operable, and that it would not harm the baby, but the surgery would have to wait until the child is delivered.

Holiday plans to take an indefinite leave of absence next season to care for his wife and their newborn.

"My family comes before basketball," said Holiday. "I'm obviously blessed to play this game and be in the position I am in, but my wife is the most important thing in the world to me. She comes before anything else."

The Pelicans have been tremendously supportive of Holiday's family.

"The most important thing for Jrue to do right now is be with his wife and family," head coach Alvin Gentry said in a statement. "Every one of our coaches and players understands what Lauren and Jrue are going through, and they know we're behind them 100 percent.

"We'll continue to do everything we can to support them and help them get through these hard times."

Holiday serves as the Pelicans' starting point guard next season. Should he miss time, one of Tyreke Evans, Langston Galloway, or E'Twaun Moore can handle responsibilities at the point.