Renowned NBA court-side reporter, Craig Sager updated the world on his battle with acute myeloid leukemia, via an interview with Bleacher Report. The update comes almost three months after his diagnosis was made public on April 18th.
Sager spoke in his own words:
“Tuesday was my best day since I started treatment. I turned the corner, as I’m now building my own white blood corpuscles. All the doctors say I’m doing remarkable, doing the best I can possibly do, no bad reactions. I haven’t had any aftereffects from the chemo, and I’m staying healthy. The doctors said that being in good shape is a big factor, and I’m not on any oxygen, all my organs are good, my heart is perfect. So they’re very pleased with what’s going on.”
“On Saturday, April 19, the first day of the playoffs, I was sitting there getting my first chemo treatment and the Golden State Warriors-Los Angeles Clippers game comes on. I’ll never forget it. The score was 47-47 with a little over three minutes to go in the second quarter and Mike Breen announces my name, and I look up and he talks about the fact that I was undergoing treatment, and then he and Jeff Van Gundy expressed their concern and sent me their best wishes. I’m like, “Oh my God.”
Sager also addressed the emotional interview between Spurs head coach, Greg Popovich and his son, Craig Sager Jr.
“Junior tried to be prepared. It’s a hell of a lot easier if the Spurs are winning, but not only did the Spurs lose their lead in the third quarter, but Tim Duncan also got hurt, banged his knee, and he was out of the game. I was cringing, but he did such a great job and Pop was fantastic, making his comments afterward about getting me back there. That brought tears to my eyes. It couldn’t have been a better start to my therapy to see something like that.”
From all of us here at BSO, and all NBA fans alike, we say: Get well soon Craig Sager! We can’t wait to see your suit jackets illuminating basketball courts around the league again.