Cavaliers coach Tyronn Lue announced Monday he will step away indefinitely due to health issues, which include chest pains and problems sleeping.
Associate head coach Larry Drew will take over, starting with Monday night's home game against the Milwaukee Bucks.
"I think it's probably well overdue," four-time league MVP LeBron James said after shootaround at Cleveland Clinic Courts. "Understanding what he's been going through throughout the season. Obviously health is the most important thing of everything in life. So I'm not surprised by it."
When asked if he was feeling better late last week, Lue replied, "No." But Lue, who led the Cavs to the 2016 NBA title after replacing the fired David Blatt in midseason, had resisted taking a leave of absence.
"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 statement.
"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."
Lue thanked owner Dan Gilbert, general manager Koby Altman, the Cavs' medical team and organization for its support throughout.
"We know how difficult these circumstances are for Coach Lue and we support him totally in this focused approach to addressing his health issues," Altman said in a statement.
TNT's David Aldridge reported via Twitter that Lue is on a one-week plan to address his health and hopes to return to the bench next week.
Drew, 59, has 25 years of NBA coaching experience, four in charge. The Bucks went 15-67 under Drew in 2013-14. In his previous three seasons in Atlanta, the Hawks were 128-102, 44-38 in his final season in 2012-13. A University of Missouri product, Drew played 10 years in the NBA for four teams and another season in Italy.
During Saturday's victory at Chicago, Lue remained in the locker room after halftime with an illness. It marked the third time this season that Lue had been forced to leave or miss a game.
On Feb. 6 at Orlando, he departed in the second quarter and did not return. Drew also took over before a home game against the Bulls on Dec. 21, when Lue was too sick to work.
"I knew he was struggling, but he was never not himself," James said. "He was just dealing with it the best he could, but he was never not himself when he was around. Once he leaves the gym and goes home ... there's things we don't know. But he was the same every single day even though he was going through what he was going through."
James said he learned of Lue's decision before shootaround. James said he couldn't compare Drew's in-game coaching demeanor with Lue's because Drew had only been in charge for two games.
The Cavs are 40-29 and third in the Eastern Conference, one half game up on Washington.
Asked how Lue's absence will affect the team, James said, "We're going to find out. But it's tough, it's obviously like losing one of your best players. Obviously the guy that's pretty much the captain of the ship, that's run the thing 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. Like I said his health is most important and we look forward to when he comes back."
Before a Feb. 7 home game against Minnesota, Timberwolves coach Tom Thibodeau said he could relate to the grind Lue was going through. Thibodeau worked with Lue in Boston and was an assistant coach with the Houston Rockets when Lue played there during the 2004-05 season.
Thibodeau mentioned the five-week medical leave Charlotte Hornets coach Steve Clifford needed this season for debilitating headaches caused by stress and sleep deprivation.
"You're always worried about it. You saw what happened with Steve Clifford, who's thankfully doing well," Thibodeau said. "I hope Ty's taking care of himself. That's the most important thing is his health. He's a great guy, he's done a great job here. So always concerned about that."
