Mike Breen recently expressed a heartfelt message towards his ESPN co-worker, prominent sideline reporter Lisa Salters. Salters was absent for Game 2 of the NBA Finals between the Thunder and Pacers as she was attending to her sick mother.

When sideline reporter Jorge Sedano stepped in to cover the second half of the game, where Oklahoma City was leading 59-41 in the third quarter, Breen took a moment to explain why Sedano was replacing Salters. He praised Salters as a colleague, stating she is “the teammate everyone in our business should strive to have.”

Breen began by acknowledging Salters’ absence, saying, “Jorge is with us today, but we’re thinking of our dear friend and colleague, Lisa Salters.” He mentioned that Salters’ mother has been facing serious health issues, sending love and support to Salters and her mom. Breen also expressed gratitude towards Salters’ mom for raising such an incredible professional like Lisa Salters, emphasizing that she sets a standard for teamwork in the industry.

Prior to tipoff Sunday, reports emerged that Salters, 59, would miss Game 2 of the finals in Oklahoma City due to a personal matter.

Fever head coach Stephanie White, who is Salters’ partner, skipped Indiana’s game on Saturday in Chicago amid a “family emergency,” according to the Indy Star.

Assistant coach Austin Kelly took over and guided the Fever to a 79-52 victory over the Sky, something Indiana forward DeWanna Bonner hoped her teammates would fight for on behalf of White.

“I really want to win for Steph, she’s going through a tough time with her family right now,” Bonner told the Indy Star. “We want to rally together and get this one for her, but it’s also Austin’s first time at the helm, so it’s double-duty right now.”

The Fever visit the Atlanta Dream on Tuesday, while Games 3 and 4 of the NBA Finals shift to Indiana starting Wednesday.

Salters, also a sideline correspondent on ESPN’s “Monday Night Football,” covered the Pacers’ 111-110 Game 1 rally on Thursday in Oklahoma City.

The Thunder stormed back in Game 2, 123-107, to even the best-of-seven series at 1-1.