INDEPENDENCE, Ohio -- The Cleveland Cavaliers announced on Monday that head coach Tyronn Lue will step away from the team to focus on health issues. According to one report, however, Lue's absence isn't expected to last long.
Appearing on Sportscenter moments after Lue's leave of absence was announced, ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported that the Cavs' head coach's time away from the team wasn't expected to last long. Per Wojnarowski, Lue should be back in time for the start of Cleveland's playoff run next month.
"I was told this morning sooner than later," Wojnarowski said of Lue's return. "There's going to be at least a few games here, but I'm told this is not expected to be a long-term absence, that he'll be back, I'm told, well before the start of the playoffs."
Now in his third season as the Cavs' head coach, Lue has missed part of at least three games this season due to ongoing health injuries. On Saturday, Lue missed the second half of the team's victory over the Chicago Bulls, although Wojnarowski said the former NBA guard insisted he could coach.
"I was told he tried to go back out -- he wanted to go back out and coach the team and was told by team officials, 'Just take it easy,'" Wojnarowski said. "That led to the conversation of going forward with some time away from the team."
On Monday, Lue revealed in a statement that he has been battling chest pains, but has yet to receive a specific diagnosis.
"I have had chest pains and other troubling symptoms, compounded by a loss of sleep, throughout the year," Lue said. "Despite a battery of tests, there have been no conclusions as to what the exact issue is."
Cavs assistant coach Larry Drew will assume head coaching duties in Lue's absence.
Following shootaround ahead of the Cavs' Monday night matchup against the Milwaukee Bucks, LeBron James spoke to the impact of Lue's unexpected departure.
"It's like losing one of your best players, obviously," James said. "It's a guy that's pretty much the captain of our ship and has done anything for us for the last three years. Everyone has to step up. We have coaches in place that's ready for that challenge and we have to do our job as players as well."
Despite Lue's leave of absence, the Cavs also revealed some good news on Monday, when they announced Kevin Love was questionable for Monday night's game against Milwaukee. The All-Star forward has been absent from the team's lineup since fracturing his left hand against the Detroit Pistons on Jan. 30.