Report: Cleveland’s Tyronn Lue to step away as Cavaliers head coach for health reasons

Cleveland Cavaliers coach Tyronn Lue will take a leave of absence from coaching and associate head coach Larry Drew will take over as head coach, according to a report by ESPN Monday.

ESPN’s Rachel Nichols reported Lue, who said he plans to return this season, has been experiencing chest pains and among other symptoms, but has not yet been diagnosed.

“I spoke to Ty Lue about his health at length earlier this season,” Nichols wrote on Twitter. “He was determined to keep coaching because the Cavs were in such flux. He felt with so many other changes and variables, it was important for players to have consistency, and a steady voice at the end of the bench.”

Lue said he plans to start “a prescribed routine, and medication, which has been difficult to start in the midst of a season” and his goal is to become healthier and stronger during the time away, according to Nichols.

"It's like losing one of your best players, obviously - the guy who's the captain of our ship, who's been running things the past three years," Cavaliers' LeBron James said, according to Nichols.

The Cavaliers (40-29) currently sit in third place in the Western Conference.