Lakers Coach Mike Brown leaves before game for personal reasons Mike Brown is not coaching the Lakers tonight against Denver because of personal reasons, according to the team. Brown went through his regular pregame briefing with media members about 90 minutes before tipoff but left after that. He was somewhat late for the briefing, spoke for 10 minutes and left Staples Center for home soon after that. Assistant John Kuester is coaching in Brown's place. Kuester took Brown's spot earlier this season in Philadelphia, a game the Lakers lost, 95-90. Brown missed that game because he served a one-game suspension for bumping a referee and failing to leave the court in a timely manner after being ejected in a loss to Utah. Brown is expected to be back for the Lakers' game Sunday against Dallas, according to a team official. Lakers-Nuggets: Five things to watch in the game Point guard Ramon Sessions says his shoulder is improving Denver Post's Hochman: Lakers would beat Denver in playoff series