ATLANTA -- Atlanta Dream coach Michael Cooper has had surgery for tongue cancer.<br />
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The WNBA team said Friday that Thursday's procedure was successful and Cooper "will be back coaching soon."<br />
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The team announced Monday that the 58-year-old Cooper has early stage tongue cancer. Assistant coach Karleen Thompson is filling in.<br />
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Cooper is in his first season with Atlanta. His team leads the Eastern Conference with a 15-7 record. Atlanta plays Chicago on Friday night.<br />
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Cooper won five NBA titles as a shooting guard with the Los Angeles Lakers during the "Showtime" era from 1978-90. He coached the Los Angeles Sparks to two WNBA titles and won one NBA Development League championship with Albuquerque.
