76ers top assistant coach Dave Joerger leaving club to undergo cancer treatments / News - Basketnews.com

Credit: AP – Scanpix Credit AP – Scanpix

The Philadelphia 76ers top assistant coach Dave Joerger is leaving the team for several weeks to undergo chemotherapy and radiation treatments for a form of "head and neck" cancer, via Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN.

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Per the report, Joerger informed the Sixers players and most staff of his cancer diagnosis in the post-game locker room tonight in Indianapolis.

"We have caught it early," the 47-year-old told ESPN. "I'm very lucky. I've got over a 90% chance of cure rate, but it's very scary and it's not enjoyable going through. ...I can't go on the road and do radiation and chemotherapy in different cities around the country. To continue my treatment, I need to step away from the team."

Part of Joerger's decision to make his cancer diagnosis public is the chance to encourage people to pursue early detection.

Joerger reached the Western Conference playoffs in each of his three seasons as the Memphis Grizzlies head coach, including a trip to the Western Conference semifinals in 2015.

After a successful stint in Memphis, he joined the Sacramento Kings as a head coach in 2016, where he led the team until 2019.

He was 245-247 (.498) overall as a head coach and 9-13 (.409) in the playoffs, according to the report.

Joerger has been an assistant coach under Doc Rivers in Philly since November 9, 2020.

"Dave is not only one of the most talented and respected coaches in the NBA, but he's a great friend, colleague, husband, and father," Rivers said in a statement. "The same positivity, enthusiasm, and grit that have made him a successful coach will also carry him through his fight against cancer."

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