Report: Lue to coach Cavs Thursday vs. Wizards

Tyronn Lue will be on the sideline for the Cleveland Cavaliers' game against the visiting Washington Wizards on Thursday night, according to cleveland.com.

Lue, who took a leave of absence on March 19, has been dealing with an illness that forced him to miss all or part of three games before he stepped away.

The Cavs have gone 8-1 under assistant coach Larry Drew during Lue's absence. Lue returned as an observer last Friday and has spent time with the team before and after games since.

"He's kind of been gradually getting back into it," Drew said on Tuesday. "I can see that the guys have already embraced him. So it's just a matter of him being more hands on now once he does get back."

Lue has reportedly been focusing on nutrition and exercise during his time away from the team.

The coach made the following statement in announcing his absence, which he had suggested would last about a week:

"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's statement began.

"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."

The Cavs, at 48-30, currently sit third in the East standings, but are just a half-game ahead of the Philadelphia 76ers with four games remaining.

They play the 76ers in Philadelphia on Friday night.

--Field Level Media