Health issues force Lue to take time off
Cleveland Cavaliers coach Tyronn Lue is taking a leave of absence to address health issues that have included chest pains and loss of sleep.
Lue said Monday in statement that tests have offered no conclusion about what the issue is and offered no timetable for his return.
“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,” he said. “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 toward.”
Associate head coach Larry Drew will run the team in Lue’s absence, saying Monday that he received a text message from Lue saying, “It’s your show.”
LeBron James said he was informed of Lue’s decision at morning shootaround.
“I knew he was struggling, but he was never not himself,” James said. “He was just dealing with it the best way he could.” CAVALIERS 124, BUCKS 117 >> In Cleveland’s first game with Lue on leave, James scored 40 points as part of his third triple-double in four games to power the Cavaliers past Milwaukee.
James scored 17 points in the third quarter and finished with 12 rebounds and 10 assists for 71st triple-double of his career.
The four-time MVP took over in the third beginning with back-to-back 3-pointers and finishing Cleveland’s next possession with a dunk. He was fouled attempting another dunk and made both free throws the next trip down the court.
Cleveland forward Kevin Love returned after missing six weeks because of a broken left hand and scored 18 points in 25 minutes.
Giannis Antetokounmpo had 37 points and Khris Middleton added 30 for the Bucks.
PACERS 110, LAKERS 100 >> Myles Turner scored 21 points and Victor Oladipo added 20 to help Indiana snap a two-game losing streak with a victory over Los Angeles.
The Lakers, who have lost three in a row, were led by Kyle Kuzma and Brook Lopez with 27 and 23 points, respectively.
HEAT 149, NUGGETS 141 (2 OT) >> James Johnson scored a career-high 31 points and Kelly Olynyk added 30 off the bench for Miami, which set a franchise single-game scoring record in its win over Denver.
Nikola Jokic led the Nuggets with 34 points.
76ERS 108, HORNETS 94 >> Joel Embiid had 25 points and 19 rebounds and Ben Simmons had a triple-double to lead Philadelphia past Charlotte.
Simmons had 11 points, 12 rebounds, 15 assists and no turnovers for the Sixers, who still have a chance to finish fourth in the Eastern Conference.
KNICKS 110, BULLS 92 >> Tim Hardaway Jr. scored 22 points and Michael Beasley added 17 to lead New York past Chicago.
Cristiano Felicio scored a career-high 17 points for the Bulls, who went 3-for30 from 3-point range. NETS 118, GRIZZLIES 115 >> Allen Crabbe and Caris LeVert each scored 22 points to lead Brooklyn past Memphis, which lost for the 20th time in the past 21 games.
Rondae Hollis-Jefferson had 16 points and 12 rebounds, and DeMarre Carroll added 18 points for the Nets, who have two straight wins for the first time since Jan. 19-21.
PISTONS 106, KINGS 90 >> Blake Griffin had 26 points, nine rebounds and seven assists to help Detroit beat Sacramento for only its 10th road victory this season.
Willie Cauley-Stein’s 20 points led the Kings.