Hall of Famer Bill Russell released from hospital following dehydration scare

Basketball legend Bill Russell was rushed to a hospital in Seattle on Friday night as a result of dehydration, but said on social media Saturday that he was released after an overnight visit and batted down reports that heart issues led to his hospitalization.  

Russell wrote on Twitter: "Thank you everyone for the kind thoughts, yes I was taken to the hospital last night & as my wife likes to remind me I don’t drink enough. On my way home & as most my friends know I don’t have a heart to give me trouble."

TMZ Sports initially reported that the 84-year-old Hall of Famer was taken in an ambulance to the hospital due to heart complications and shortness of breath. The Celtics later told media outlets that Russell was kept overnight as a precaution, and that dehydration was behind the scare. 

Russell was in good spirits in time for Game 3 of the Eastern Conference final between the Celtics and Cleveland Cavaliers, tweeting: "Back home got my water getting ready for the #CelticsVsCavs."

Russell won 11 NBA championships and five MVPs with the Boston Celtics, and is widely considered one of the best basketball players of all-time. He became the first-ever African-American NBA coach in 1966.

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