King James takes over in Lue of ailing coach

LEVELAND - LeBron James made certain another news-filled day ended with his own headline.

James scored 40 points as part of his third triple-double in four games and the Cleveland Cavaliers beat the Milwaukee Bucks 124-117 on Monday night as coach Tyronn Lue began his leave of absence to address health issues.

Lue said on Monday he has been dealing with chest pains and loss of sleep, and that tests have offered no conclusion about what the issue is.

Associate head coach Larry Drew will run the team in Lue's absence.

Lue's departure came several hours before Kevin Love returned to the Cavs lineup after missing six weeks because of a broken left hand. The All-Star forward scored 18 points in 25 minutes.

Losing their coach while getting back a star player seems to fit the narrative of this turbulent season.

The Cavaliers (41-29) are third in the Eastern Conference and have endured roster shuffles, injuries and other distractions as they try to reach the NBA Finals for the fourth straight time.

"If it's not one thing, it's another," said James, who scored 17 points in the third quarter and finished with 12 rebounds and 10 assists for his 16th triple-double this season and the 71st of his career.

The four-time MVP took over in the third, beginning with back-to-back 3-pointers. After not getting a foul called on a third attempt, he finished Cleveland's next possession with a massive dunk.

He was then fouled attempting another dunk and made both free throws.

James expressed his displeasure, as did the crowd at Quicken Loans Arena, after the officials didn't call a foul when he attempted his third 3-pointer. He quickly took out his frustration on the next two possessions.

James is trying to use humor in dealing with the lack of calls.

"I got hit in the head three times today, got elbowed in the nose," he said.

"I want to keep pushing and try not to get caught up in the battle with the calls that should be called."

Milwaukee cut a 17-point lead to 117-109, but James drove the length of the floor for a dunk with just over a minute left.

Giannis Antetokounmpo had 37 points and went 11 for 11 at the foul line for Milwaukee, which fell to eighth in the Eastern Conference.

James' performance led to Antetokounmpo having an unusual post-game conversation.

"I was talking to myself taking a shower, asking what I did wrong because he was the first player to score 40 on me," he said.

"He's the best player in the world."

Khris Middleton had 30 points, making 11 of 16 from the field.

Lue, 40, led Cleveland to the 2016 championship after taking over for David Blatt midway through that season.

No timetable has been given for when Lue will return. He missed the second half on Saturday, the second time this season he left a game because he wasn't feeling well.

Lue also sat out a game against Chicago at home in December.

Associated Press