Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle collapses at practices, ’seems to be feeling better’ at hospital

Mavericks coach Carlisle collapses at practice

DALLAS — Dallas Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle was taken to a hospital Friday after collapsing during a practice.

Team spokeswoman Sarah Melton said Carlisle “was apparently lightheaded” and fainted on the court at the American Airlines Center. The 50-year-old coach was conscious and responding to questions as he was carried by stretcher to an ambulance and taken to a nearby hospital. Team personnel were with him.

“There are members of the Mavericks at the hospital with him, talking to him and he seems to be feeling better,” Melton said. “It was all sort of precautionary — get him to the hospital and make sure he is OK.”

Team owner Mark Cuban did not immediately respond to a message left by The Associated Press. Baylor University Medical Center referred all inquiries to the team.

“I heard the fall,” guard Jason Kidd told The Dallas Morning News. “We don’t know what the situation is. Basketball is our job, but life comes before our job or anything else. Your well-being is the most important thing. That’s our coach and our family member. We got to make sure he’s all right and we’ll go from there.”

Dallas defeated Chicago in an exhibition 88-83 on Thursday night. The team is scheduled to play Phoenix on Saturday in an exhibition in California, and the team plane was scheduled to depart Friday afternoon.

Carlisle is a former NBA player who spent five seasons with Boston, New York and New Jersey. He is about to begin his third season with the Mavericks, following head coaching stints in Indiana and Detroit.

Last month, Michigan State football coach Mark Dantonio was hospitalized with a mild heart attack a few hours after his team beat Notre Dame in overtime. Dantonio had a stent installed during surgery and is planning to return for his first game since on Saturday when the Spartans play at Michigan.