Tyronn Lue to rejoin Cavs for Pelicans game, will not yet coach

According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, Cavs head coach Tyronn Lue is rejoining the team ahead of Friday’s game against the Pelicans to observe the game, but not coach. Per the story, the plan is for Lue to “hopefully” ease his way back into coaching this week while the Cavs are at home on a four-game homestand that ends on Thursday.

The team has not yet said what Lue is dealing with. Per ESPN, Lue has been working with a chef to improve his diet and has been working on an exercise plan.

Getting Lue back before the playoffs would be ideal, as it would be tricky to switch head coaches in the middle of playoff series or even in between rounds. At the very least, if he’s observing the team, it should at least help him, and the team, for things to get back to normal.

Larry Drew has coached the Cavs in Lue’s absence with Cleveland losing just once over that stretch.