Skip to content

Report: Lakers' Hollins flagged for health concern, won't join team

Icon Sportswire / Getty

Los Angeles Lakers assistant coach Lionel Hollins won't join the team for the NBA's resumption in Orlando after being "red-flagged" for a health concern, sources told Yahoo Sports' Chris Haynes.

The 66-year-old agrees that the decision - which isn't age-related - is appropriate, Haynes reports.

New Orleans Pelicans associate coach Jeff Bzdelik also won't join his team in the Orlando restart, his agent told ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski. Bzdelik's absence was not specified as being due to a health concern, though the Pelicans assistant made the decision after consulting with team physicians and CDC regulations, according to ESPN's Andrew Lopez.

Dallas Mavericks bench boss and president of the National Basketball Coaches Association Rick Carlisle said Wednesday that, according to the league, a coach's age alone wouldn't be enough to prevent them from traveling to Orlando.

The reason for concern stems from the higher risk posed to older adults from the coronavirus; eight out of 10 deaths due to COVID-19 in the United States have been in individuals aged 65 or older, according to the CDC.

Hollins has been an assistant coach with the Lakers since last July. He was previously the head coach of the Brooklyn Nets from 2014-16 and also served in the same role with the Memphis Grizzlies.

Daily Newsletter

Get the latest trending sports news daily in your inbox