Clippers Coach Tyronn Lue Misses Game Due to Back Pain

INGLEWOOD, Calif. (AP) — Los Angeles Clippers head coach Tyronn Lue missed his team’s game against the Sacramento Kings on Sunday due to back pain. The decision came shortly before tipoff, when the team announced Lue would not be coaching and assistant Brian Shaw would take over responsibilities.

Lue, who is 47 years old, attended a pre-game media session on Sunday night and did not indicate he was experiencing any discomfort at that time. However, the team’s announcement confirmed he would be sent home for the evening. The Clippers have struggled with injury issues this season, making Lue’s absence noteworthy.

The Clippers entered the matchup against the Kings riding a two-game winning streak, which marked their first consecutive wins since a three-game streak in February. The team and the Kings are currently positioned as the No. 8 and No. 9 seeds in the Western Conference, respectively, making the game critical for both teams’ playoff positioning.

“We need to keep this momentum going,” said Shaw in a pre-game interview, expressing confidence in the team’s ability to perform despite Lue’s absence. Shaw, who has served as an assistant coach for the Clippers since 2021, is no stranger to leading a team. He previously was head coach of the Denver Nuggets and has two stints with the Los Angeles Lakers, where he won three NBA championships as a player.

This season has seen the Clippers plagued with injuries to key players. Star forward Kawhi Leonard missed the first 34 games due to chronic knee discomfort, and leading scorer Norman Powell has appeared in only one of the last ten games due to a knee injury followed by hamstring soreness.

As Lue’s condition remains undisclosed by the team, fans and analysts alike will be monitoring his recovery closely. The team’s ability to sustain its winning momentum in Lue’s absence may depend on how well Shaw can navigate the challenges ahead as they approach the end of the regular season.