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Magic coach Steve Clifford left Friday’s game after falling ill and was taken to a hospital for evaluation.
During the third quarter of tonight’s game at Minnesota, Orlando Magic Head Coach Steve Clifford came down with an illness.
— Orlando Magic PR (@Magic_PR) March 7, 2020
Clifford is being taken to a local hospital to undergo further evaluation.
During the third quarter, Clifford went to the locker room, where he was initially evaluated. Assistant coach Ty Corbin took over in Clifford’s absence.
Ty Corbin is up and coaching the @OrlandoMagic right now. No word yet on Head Coach Steve Clifford and why he isn't on the sideline. We'll keep you updated. #MagicAboveAll #NBA pic.twitter.com/BUX1safQWi
— FOX Sports Florida & Sun (@FOXSportsFL) March 7, 2020
“He just came over and said, ‘You’re going to have to take it,’ and I didn’t really know what it meant until I saw him walk off,” Corbin told reporters after the game. “It was kind of a shocker. But we’re praying that he’s well.”
"It was kind of a shocker, but we're praying that he's well," Tyrone Corbin.@OrlandoMagic Assistant Coach took over for Steve Clifford in the 3rd quarter after he was not feeling well and left the court. Hoping for a speedy recovery for the leader of our pack. pic.twitter.com/KoceUjyfo7
— FOX Sports Florida & Sun (@FOXSportsFL) March 7, 2020
Adrian Wojnarowski reported that Clifford was then taken for further evaluation for precautionary reasons.
Clifford was examined by doctors at the arena and will get an additional precautionary look at a local Minneapolis hospital. Team was already planning to stay overnight. Clifford had 2 stents put in his heart in 2013, but there’s no indication that this is a heart-related issue. https://t.co/wRIoj751VT
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) March 7, 2020
In addition to the stents, Clifford missed time during the 2017-2018 season while coaching Charlotte because of severe headaches related to sleep deprivation. No need for speculation as to what it could be related to, we’ll wait for official word from the team.
Prayers up for Coach Cliff. Hoping this is nothing more than a precautionary measure and he’ll be back on the sideline for the Magic’s match-up with the Rockets on Sunday.