Los Angeles Clippers head coach Tyronn Lue was forced to leave before the game due to severe back pain, with assistant coach Brian Shaw stepping in as his replacement.
The Los Angeles Clippers battled to a hard-fought 111-110 overtime victory against the Sacramento Kings, sealed by a tough left-handed game-winner from Kawhi Leonard.
They secured the win despite being without head coach Tyronn Lue, who was forced to miss the game due to severe back pain. Lue experienced discomfort before tipoff and had to step away, leaving assistant coach Brian Shaw to take over.
"He's in some pain, his back is bothering him, but Ty is tough as nails. For him to sit out a game, it has to be something really serious," Shaw said postgame.
Despite Lue’s absence from the sidelines, Shaw revealed that the coaching staff remained in constant communication with him throughout the game, allowing him to contribute from behind the scenes.
"We were in constant communication with him throughout the game," Shaw noted. "The guys stayed with it. Tonight was tough, but it was all about perseverance right down to the last shot."
With this win, the Clippers created some breathing room in the standings, now holding a two-game lead over the Kings. They currently sit in eighth place in the Western Conference with a 35-29 record.
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