NBA reporter Craig Sager undergoes third bone marrow transplant
Craig Sager, TNT’s NBA sideline reporter, has received a rare third bone marrow transplant as he continues his fight against cancer.
“OK, third time’s the charm,” the 65-year-old Sager said moments after the procedure began Wednesday at the MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston.
The AP was granted access to the facility during Sager’s treatment. Here’s a collection of images chronicling the hours-long process.
–The Associated Press
- Craig Sager accepts the Jimmy V award for perseverance at the ESPY Awards at Microsoft Theater on Wednesday, July 13, 2016, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)
- Vice President Joe Biden, left, and former NBA players Charles Barkley, Reggie Miller, and Shaquille O’Neal, right, congratulate Craig Sager as he accepted the Jimmy V award for perseverance at the ESPY Awards at the Microsoft Theater on Wednesday, July 13, 2016, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)
- Sportscaster Craig Sager, center, watches as nurse Diana Castillo, left, and Dr. Richard Champlin, right, start the transplant procedure Wednesday, Aug. 31, 2016, at MD Anderson Hospital in Houston. Sager underwent his third bone marrow transplant Wednesday as he continues to battle acute myeloid leukemia. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
- Sportscaster Craig Sager holds up his shirt as his wife Stacy takes a picture after starting his transplant procedure Wednesday, Aug. 31, 2016, at MD Anderson Hospital in Houston. Sager underwent his third bone marrow transplant as he continues to battle Acute myeloid leukemia. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
- Sportscaster Craig Sager speaks about his fight against cancer Tuesday, Aug. 30, 2016, at MD Anderson Hospital in Houston. Sager underwent his third bone marrow transplant Wednesday as he continues to battle acute myeloid leukemia. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
- Sportscaster Craig Sager lifts his shirt after starting a transplant procedure Wednesday, Aug. 31, 2016, at MD Anderson Hospital in Houston. Sager underwent his third bone marrow transplant as he continues to battle Acute myeloid leukemia. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
- Sportscaster Craig Sager kisses his wife, Stacy, while undergoing treatment Tuesday, Aug. 30, 2016, at MD Anderson Hospital in Houston. Sager had his third bone marrow transplant Wednesday, Aug. 31, as he continues to battle acute myeloid leukemia. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
- Sportscaster Craig Sager watches the flow of stem cells after starting his transplant procedure Wednesday, Aug. 31, 2016, at MD Anderson Hospital in Houston. Sager underwent his third bone marrow transplant as he continues to battle Acute myeloid leukemia. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
- NBA Hall of Fame member and TNT colleague Charles Barkley left, bumps fists with sportscaster Craig Sager after visiting Sager Tuesday, Aug. 30, 2016, at MD Anderson Hospital in Houston. Sager underwent his third bone marrow transplant Wednesday, Aug. 31, 2016, as he continues to battle acute myeloid leukemia. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
- Sportscaster Craig Sager holds a pair of boots that once belonged to Lacey Holsworth while telling a story about their friendship Tuesday, Aug. 30, 2016, at MD Anderson Hospital in Houston. Holsworth died of cancer in 2014. Sager underwent his third bone marrow transplant Wednesday as he continues to battle acute myeloid leukemia. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
- Senior Clinical Cell Therapy Specialist Megan Raggio prepares stem cells from bone marrow before they are transplanted into sportscaster Craig Sager Wednesday, Aug. 31, 2016, at MD Anderson Hospital in Houston. Sager underwent his third bone marrow transplant Wednesday as he continues to battle acute myeloid leukemia. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
- Sportscaster Craig Sager lies in his bed while receiving a transplant Wednesday, Aug. 31, 2016, at MD Anderson Hospital in Houston. Sager underwent his third bone marrow transplant as he continues to battle Acute myeloid leukemia. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
- Sportscaster Craig Sager smiles during an interview Tuesday, Aug. 30, 2016, at MD Anderson Hospital in Houston. Sager underwent his third bone marrow transplant Wednesday, Aug. 31, 2016, as he continues to battle acute myeloid leukemia. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
- Sportscaster Craig Sager points to a photograph on the wall Tuesday, Aug. 30, 2016, at MD Anderson Hospital in Houston. Sager underwent his third bone marrow transplant Wednesday, Aug. 31, as he continues to battle acute myeloid leukemia. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)