The Cleveland Cavaliers will be without their head coach for the indeterminate future.
Tyronn Lue is taking an indefinite leave of absence to address what he claims are ongoing health issues, the Cavs announced Monday. Lue said in a statement he plans to “step back from coaching for the time being” with the goal of establishing “a stronger and healthier foundation from which to coach for the rest of the season.”
Associate coach Larry Drew will take over as head coach in Lue’s absence. Neither Lue nor the team gave a timetable for his return.
The 40-year-old head coach revealed he’s been suffering from “chest pains and other troubling symptoms, compounded by a loss of sleep” throughout the season, and medical tests have been unable to determine the cause. Lue had missed at least parts or all of the last three games with an undisclosed illness.
“While I have tried to work through it, the last thing I want is for it to affect the team,” Lue said. “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.”
It’s worth noting the timing of Lue’s departure: Just days earlier, the coach got into a heated argument with Cavs star LeBron James during the team’s loss to the Portland Trail Blazers.
James wished nothing but the best for his head coach Monday, though.
“I think it’s probably well overdue,” James said, via USA TODAY Sports. “Understanding what he’s been going through throughout the season, so obviously health is the most important with everything in life, so I’m not surprised by it at all.
Cleveland currently sits third in the Eastern Conference at 11 1/2 games behind the Toronto Raptors and trails the No. 2 seed Boston Celtics by 6 1/2 games.
