LOS ANGELES _ Lakers assistant coach Lionel Hollins was "deemed a higher-risk individual due to underlying medical conditions" and will not join the rest of the staff in Orlando, Fla., for the restart of the NBA season, a team official said Friday.
The official, who spoke anonymously because they were not authorized to speak publicly, said Hollins, 66, would continue to be an "essential member" on the staff for Lakers coach Frank Vogel and would be "participating remotely."
When Hollins was told the news by doctors as the Lakers started their workouts Wednesday, he "understood and was OK with things," said one person, who also was not authorized to speak publicly. The decision had nothing to do with his age, the source said.
The Lakers are scheduled to leave for Orlando on Thursday for games that will be played at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex.
