It is being reported based on a Rupert Murdoch owned NY Post report that Donald Sterling has been battling prostate cancer for some time.
Okay, a Murdoch paper, not a pristine or credible source for reportage. But let's go with the sentiment of the Clippers team initial responses, from the ESPN article:
Blake Griffin, speaking after the Clippers' 100-99, Game 6 loss to the Golden State Warriors on Thursday night, said he was unaware of Sterling's cancer.
"If that is true, my thoughts and prayers are with him," Griffin said. "Nobody deserves to go through something like that."
Chris Paul, who also said he hadn't heard about the cancer, called it "truly unfortunate," while coach Doc Rivers said he didn't know about it and that he hoped it wasn't true.
The NYP article has interesting tidbits, though each is unattributed for the record or ex parte to the situation.
It does occur to me though that a PR firm could be brought on-board to disseminate a sympathy ploy that, when challenged, can take shelter behind HIPAA protections.