LOS ANGELES (AP) — Toronto Raptors coach Nick Nurse has rejoined his team in Los Angeles after the death of his 94-year-old mother.
Nurse says his mother died Monday in Iowa, where he was born in the city of Carroll.
He plans to coach Tuesday night against the Clippers and Wednesday at Golden State before returning to Iowa.
"I'm here because my mother wouldn't want it any other way," Nurse said before the game.
In June, Nurse was promoted from assistant to head coach of the Raptors after Dwane Casey was fired. He has led the team to a record of 21-7, best in the NBA.
"She had a big impact because she had nine of us and I was the last one," the 51-year-old coach said. "Lots of games — 94 years, nine kids and about 80,000 games watched are her final stats."
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