Houston Coach McHale returns to bench

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HOUSTON, Dec. 8 (UPI) -- Houston Coach Kevin McHale was to be back behind the bench Saturday after leaving last month to deal with the death of one of his children, the team said.

McHale took a leave of absence to be in Minneapolis with his 23-year-old daughter Alexandra "Sasha" McHale, who died of complications from lupus Nov. 24.

The Rockets went 7-6 in his absence with assistant Coach Kelvin Sampson at the reins.

Sasha McHale wore her father's former No. 32 while playing basketball at Totino-Grace High School in suburban Fridley, Minn., gaining an honorable mention selection for the all-state team in 2008.

Kevin McHale, a native of Hibbing, Minn., is a former University of Minnesota and Boston Celtics star, and previously was head coach and general manager of the Minnesota Timberwolves.

He and his wife Lynn Kevin and Lynn McHale have four other children: Kristyn, Michael, Joseph and Thomas.