Beloved NBA sideline reporter Lisa Salters was visibly absent from Sunday night’s Game 2 of the 2025 NBA Finals, leaving many to wonder where she could have been. ESPN soon shared that she missed the big game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and Indiana Pacers due to a “personal matter,” disclosing that Salters’s mother was dealing with “serious health issues.” Sending her their support, many have rallied around Salters, hoping to see her back in the stands soon, in peace and good health. Here’s a deeper look into Lisa Salters’ family emergency and her sudden absence.
Who is Lisa Salters?
Alisia “Lisa” Salters is an incredibly accomplished journalist, anchor and sideline reporter for ESPN and ABC. Raised in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania, she was a former college basketball player at Penn State. Salters held the distinction of being the shortest player in school history at 5’2. She joined ESPN in March 2000 and has since covered a wide array of high-profile events, from the O. J. Simpson trial to the Olympics. Her reporting jurisdiction spans far beyond basketball, serving as a seasoned correspondent on ABC’s “NBA on ABC,” ESPN’s “Monday Night Football” and the investigative series “E:60.”
Even so, she’s become one of the most beloved voices in the NBA. A veteran of playoff coverage, Salters has been the primary sideline voice since 2005. She and basketball pair together perfectly, consistently working NBA Finals broadcasts. Her face and voice have become synonymous with the excitement of Finals season.
What is Going on With Lisa Salters?
So what was Lisa Salters’ family emergency? The journalist was notably absent from Game 2 of the 2025 NBA Finals, a riveting match up between the Oklahoma City Thunder and Indiana Pacers. ESPN attributed her absence to a “personal matter,” which was later further clarified by co-announcer Mike Breen. He shared that Salters returned home to care for her mother, who is currently facing serious health issues. No further details have been disclosed regarding her mother’s condition.
ESPN and fans have sent an outpouring of support, while Jorge Sedano stepped in for her on ABC’s broadcast. The network has not yet disclosed plans for Game 3, which is scheduled for Wednesday, June 11th. When sharing the news, Breen emphasized Salters as “the teammate everyone in our business should strive to have,” acknowledging her mother’s influence in shaping her character. 21Ninety also sends Salters much love and support, hoping for a speedy recovery for her mother and a safe return back to the court.
Lisa Salters and Stephanie White
With coverage of Salters’ absence came a new revelation for many, which is that Salters is currently in a long-term committed relationship with Stephanie White. White is a former WNBA player and current head coach of the Indiana Fever. The couple live together in Nashville. They share four children: White’s three biological children and Salters’ adopted child.
White also missed the Fever’s recent game against the Chicago Sky due to the same family emergency. “I really want to win for Steph, she’s going through a tough time with her family right now,” Fever player DeWanna Bonner told the IndyStar. “We want to rally together and get this one for her.” Assistant coach Austin Kelly stepped in and led the Fever to a 79–52 victory, an uplifting moment that showed team solidarity in a difficult time.