Celtics coach misses game vs. Bulls while visiting former player in hospital

Boston Celtics coach Brad Stevens is missed Thursday's game against the Chicago Bulls after leaving the team to travel to Indiana.

Stevens is visiting former Butler player Andrew Smith, who is battling cancer and was recently readmitted to a hospital in the Indianapolis area, according to multiple reports.

Smith played under Stevens at the university from 2009-13.

Assistant coach Jay Larranaga filled in as the Celtics' bench boss against Chicago, a 101-92 loss to the Bulls.

"He makes it very clear on a day-to-day basis that family is the most important," Larranaga said about Stevens.