Kevin McHale's daughter dies

Alexandra "Sasha" McHale, the 23-year-old daughter of Houston Rockets coach Kevin McHale, died Saturday.

Kevin McHale has been on a leave of absence from the team to be with his daughter and his family in Minneapolis since Nov. 10. Sasha McHale battled lupus, an auto-immune disease.

"I extend my deepest condolences to Kevin and Lynn for the loss of their beautiful daughter, Sasha, on Saturday afternoon," Rockets owner Leslie Alexander said in a statement released Sunday. "Kevin and Lynn are loving and dedicated parents who will need our continued support throughout this very difficult time. Our entire organization is mourning the McHale family's loss and we ask that you keep them in your thoughts and prayers."

Rockets assistant Kelvin Sampson has been the team's acting head coach in McHale's absence.

It's not clear when McHale will return to the team.

The death of Sasha McHale was felt deeply in Minnesota, where she played high school ball for Totino-Grace before attending the University of Minnesota-Duluth, according to the St. Paul Pioneer Press. The newspaper reported that she helped her high school team win the Class 3A state championship in 2008.

Kevin McHale was a former head coach and executive for the Minnesota Timberwolves.

"While Kevin was with our organization, we all watched Sasha grow up and become an outstanding young woman," Timberwolves owner Glen Taylor said in a statement. "She will be sorely missed by her family and friends."