The Cavaliers have announced that Tyronn Lue is stepping away from coaching the team for the time being due to health concerns. Associate head coach Larry Drew will take over as head coach in the interim.
Dave McMenamin on Twitter
The Cavs announce that Tyronn Lue is stepping away from coaching the team for the time being. Associate head coach Larry Drew will take over. More to come.
Lue left Saturday night’s 114-109 win against the Bulls because he felt ill. That was the third time this season that his health has kept him from coaching an entire game.
With the Cavs leading 69-52 at halftime, Lue remained in the locker room and handed the coaching duties to associate head coach Larry Drew.
“I’m not sure exactly what it is,” Drew said when asked about Lue’s condition after the game. “I just know that before coming out in the second half, he wasn’t feeling well. And I thought that there was a chance that he would [eventually] come out, but he just wasn’t well enough to come out, so we had to just go on.”
“After many conversations with our doctors and 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 this morning in a released statement.
Dave McMenamin on Twitter
Key statement from Ty Lue: “I have had chest pains and other troubling symptoms, compounded by a loss of sleep, throughout the year.” Team source told ESPN, for instance, that when CLE returned from its road trip, Lue did not fall asleep until 9:30 a.m. Sunday morning.
“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.”
Stay tuned as more develops.
