Tyronn Lue Steps Down As Coach Of Cleveland Cavaliers For Now

CLEVELAND, OH — Cleveland Cavaliers head coach Tyronn Lue is stepping away from his position to deal with health issues, the team announced on Monday. Lue has been battling a litany of conditions, including chest pains, and has already missed games this season due to illness.

"After many conversations with our doctors and Koby 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 team-issued statement.

Despite receiving numerous tests, doctors have been unable to determine what's ailing the 40-year-old coach. He has suffered from chest pain, lack of sleep and other "troubling" conditions, he said.

He said that he is stepping away to focus on getting healthy. He'll be on a routine schedule of medication. It's unclear when he will return.

“We know how difficult these circumstances are for Coach Lue and we support him totally in this focused approach to addressing his health issues," Koby Altman, the team's general manager, said.

Assistant Coach Larry Drew will take over head coaching duties during Lue's absence. Drew was head coach of the Atlanta Hawks from 2010 to 2014. He compiled a 143-169 record during his tenure. He has been an assistant coach in Cleveland since the 2014-2015 season.

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