After the Los Angeles Lakers take on the Philadelphia 76ers at Staples Center on Sunday night, the team will hit the road for a five-game road trip. Unfortunately, their head coach won’t be with them at the outset of the trip.
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The Lakers have announced that Byron Scott will miss the first two games of the trip to attend the funeral of his mother who passed away last week:
OFFICIAL: HC Byron Scott will miss the team’s games in OKC & MIN to remain in LA for the funeral of his mother, who passed away last Sunday.
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) March 22, 2015
The Lakers also announced that assistant Paul Pressey will be the acting head coach in Scott’s absence:
Assistant coach Paul Pressey will serve as acting head coach in Scott’s absence.
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) March 22, 2015
This marks the second tragedy that has struck the Lakers team this season. Earlier this year, the father of Wayne Ellington was killed, leading Ellington to take a leave of absence from the team.
Scott will miss games on Tuesday and Wednesday against the Oklahoma City Thunder and Minnesota Timberwolves, but will rejoin the team in time for Friday’s game against the Toronto Raptors.
Lakers Nation sends its condolences to Byron Scott and the entire Scott family.
[divide]Paul Pressey To Coach Lakers Next Two Games In Byron Scott’s Absence