LA Clippers Coach Leaves Game vs Kings Due to Injury

LA Clippers head coach Ty Lue left their game against the Sacramento Kings

Nov 17, 2024; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Clippers guard James Harden (1) is greeted by head coach Tyronn Lue during the first quarter against the Utah Jazz at Intuit Dome. Mandatory Credit: Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images | Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images

The LA Clippers are hosting the Sacramento Kings on Sunday night for a huge Pacific Division matchup with significant playoff implications on the line. The Clippers are 34-29 in eighth place, while the Kings are 33-29 in ninth place and only half of a game separates the two talented teams.

Unfortunately for the Clippers, they will have to play Sunday's game without head coach Ty Lue on the sideline.

Lue reportedly left Sunday's game due to back pain. Assistant Brian Shaw will be acting head coach for the game in Lue's absence, but it is certainly a rare scenario to see a coach leave a game due to injury.

The Clippers say Coach Tyronn Lue went home because of back pain and that assistant Brian Shaw will be the acting head coach for the games against the Kings.
— Brad Turner (@BA_Turner) March 10, 2025

Lue is in his fifth season as the Clippers head coach, but this will be the first game he has had to miss since being hired. The 47-year-old coach has led the Clippers to 40+ wins in each of his four complete seasons with three playoff appearances, including two first-round exits and one Western Conference Finals run.

Feb 13, 2025; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; LA Clippers head coach Tyronn Lue calls a play against the Utah Jazz during the first half at the Delta Center. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Creveling-Imagn Images | Christopher Creveling-Imagn Images

It is always an extra challenge when a team has to compete without their head coach on the sideline, but should have some success with Shaw running the show. Shaw has been an assistant under Lue for the past four seasons and was a long-tenured assistant for the Los Angeles Lakers before.

The Clippers' health concerns have been real, but nobody expected Lue to be impacted as well.

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