Cleveland Cavaliers head coach Tyronn Lue is stepping away from the team and won't coach for the foreseeable future due to health concerns, the team announced.
"After many conversations with our doctors and [general manager] Koby [Altman] and much thought given to what is best for the team and my health, I need to step back from coaching for the time being and focus on trying to establish a stronger and healthier foundation from which to coach for the rest of the season," Lue said in a statement. "I have had chest pains and other troubling symptoms, compounded by a loss of sleep, throughout the year. Despite a battery of tests, there have been no conclusions as to what the exact issue is.
"While I have tried to work through it, the last thing I want is for it to affect the team. I am going to use this time to focus on a prescribed routine and medication, which has previously been difficult to start in the midst of a season. My goal is to come out of it a stronger and healthier version of myself so I can continue to lead this team to the Championship we are all working towards.
I greatly appreciate Dan Gilbert, Koby Altman, our medical team and the organization's support throughout."
Lue did not coach in the second half of the team's win over the Chicago Bulls this weekend due to illness. Associate head coach Larry Drew will take over as acting head coach.
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“We know how difficult these circumstances are for Coach Lue and we support him totally in this focused approach to addressing his health issues,” Altman said.
Lue is in his third year as Cleveland's head coach, going 118-74 in that time while leading the Cavs to the NBA title in 2016.
Drew has four years of NBA head coaching experience (three with the Atlanta Hawks, one with the Milwaukee Bucks), posting a 143-169 overall record. He made the playoffs in all three seasons in Atlanta but only won one playoff series.
The Cavs are currently 40-29 this season and own the No. 3 seed in the Eastern Conference.
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