Boston Celtics legend Bill Russell was taken to a Seattle hospital Friday night for dehydration but said on social media that he was on his way home Saturday afternoon following an overnight stay.
The 84-year-old thanked fans for their concern, saying "as my wife likes to remind me I don't drink enough."
Russell appeared to playfully dismiss reports that his hospital visit was the result of heart problems, joking in a tweet that "most of my friends know I don't have a heart to give me trouble."
TMZ originally reported that Russell was rushed to a hospital in Washington State with some apparent heart issues and shortness of breath.
Later Saturday night, Russell confirmed he was doing well back at home, sending out another playful tweet, this time sharing a picture of himself with a glass of water.
"Back home got my water getting ready for the #CelticsVsCavs Go get a win @celtics," Russell said.
The hall of famer again thanked everyone for their well wishes, adding it's "strange to read them when ur still alive!"
Celtics coach Brad Stevens was among those relieved to hear that Russell was doing fine.
"Yeah, that was obviously scary news and happy to hear that he's doing better and he's been released from the hospital,'' Stevens said in Cleveland before Game 3 of the Eastern Conference finals. "He's the ultimate basketball winner. The way he impacted winning, the unselfishness of a teammate, what he stood for off the floor, everything about him. It's an honor to get a chance to work for the Celtics. Those teams and those people from those teams, and obviously Bill Russell being one of those main people in Celtics history, are why it's an honor to work for them, because of the bar they set for all of us.''
U.S. & World
Russell won 11 NBA championships and five NBA MVP awards with Boston. His No. 6 jersey was retired by the Celtics in 1972.
The NBA great was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1975.
