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Friday, November 13, 2026Nov 13

Cheerful, colorful NBA reporter Craig Sager dies at 65

FILE - In this March 5, 2015, file photo, Craig Sager acknowledges the crowd during a timeout in an NBA basketball game between the Chicago Bulls and the Oklahoma City Thunder in Chicago. Longtime NBA sideline reporter Craig Sager has died at the age of 65 after a battle with cancer. Turner President David Levy says in a statement Thursday, Dec. 15, 2016, that Sager had died. (AP Photo/David Banks, File)
FILE - In this March 5, 2015, file photo, Craig Sager acknowledges the crowd during a timeout in an NBA basketball game between the Chicago Bulls and the Oklahoma City Thunder in Chicago. Longtime NBA sideline reporter Craig Sager has died at the age of 65 after a battle with cancer. Turner President David Levy says in a statement Thursday, Dec. 15, 2016, that Sager had died. (AP Photo/David Banks, File)

HOUSTON (AP) – Craig Sager never once thought about giving up as he battled cancer for more than two years.

“Man, life is too beautiful, too wonderful, there’s just too many things,” he said in late August. “It’s not just you. It’s your family and kids and all. Fight. Fight until the end. Fight as hard as you can.”

The end for the beloved TNT broadcaster came Thursday when the man known as much for his outrageous wardrobe as his relationships with the NBA’s elite succumbed to the disease he fought so hard to overcome. Turner Sports announced his death without disclosing details. He was 65 and had worked basketball games for TNT for nearly a quarter-century.

“Craig Sager was a beloved member of the Turner family for more than three decades and he has been a true inspiration to all of us,” Turner President David Levy said. “There will never be another Craig Sager. His incredible talent, tireless work ethic and commitment to his craft took him all over the world covering sports.”

His son, Craig Jr., posted a loving video tribute to his father, tweeting: “We packed a lifetime and then some into these 28 years together.”