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Craig Sager: 'I'm going to make medical history'

George Pimentel / Getty Images Entertainment / Getty

OAKLAND, Calif. - Craig Sager has a blood clot behind his right ear that is affecting his hearing, and that's just another annoyance he is accepting as he continues to work NBA games for Turner Sports with fervor despite his leukemia no longer being in remission.

He says dealing with the clot could cause him to bleed to death.

Sager's spirits are undeterred by the latest challenge in his cancer fight, even if it meant a redeye flight after Tuesday's Wizards-Warriors game to get to a doctor's appointment in Houston. His new reality includes twice-weekly blood work and regular transfusions, the latest done Monday in Atlanta before he flew West.

For the occasion of seeing the defending NBA champions, Sager purchased a new ''Golden Gate Bridge'' orange shirt and a bright tie that lists its 15 colors on the back.

Oh, and for anyone wondering how he's holding up emotionally, Sager says defiantly: ''I think my demise has been prematurely reported. I'm going to make medical history.''

He is set to work Thursday in Houston, where he receives his chemotherapy treatments - eight coming soon starting around the end of the regular season.

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