Craig Sager: Doctors Told Me I Only Have 3 To 6 Months To Live

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Craig Sager reveals that doctors told him he has only three to six months to live after his leukemia came back.

The longtime colorful NBA sideline reporter for TNT told HBO's "Real Sports" doctors told him in February that his leukemia was no longer in remission.

"I've already had two stem cell transplants, very rarely does somebody have a third. So I have to maintain my strength so I can go through this," the 64-year-old Sager said, adding he's going through "uncharted waters."

Sports Illustrated's Ben Golliver posted a partial transcript ahead of the Tuesday night's show, where Sager shared his prognosis.

"That's what I asked. What are my chances? How long do I have to live? Is there a cure? They talked in terms – everybody is totally different. There's no recipe, 'This is how we treat leukemia,'" Sager said.

He continued, "I go, 'I know, what are the chances?" And [the doctors said], 'Well, you've got normally three to six months to live. But somebody may only have a week. Somebody may have five years. You could be the first one to five years.'

"I go, 'Well, whatever it takes.' I'm not going to be that three to six months. I'm going to be that five years. I'm going to make medical history. I'm fighting this thing to the end. I have too much to do."

Sager was originally diagnosed with leukemia in April 2014, undergoing chemotherapy and a bone-marrow transplant from his son. He returned to his broadcast duties in March 2015, but had to step away once again when his leukemia returned.

Sager returned for the NBA's Opening Night in October, and what millions of NBA fans were waiting for, his first interview of San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich in December.

Despite the latest setback, Sager said he's "still kicking, still fighting."

"I haven't won the battle, it's not over yet, but I haven't lost it either," Sager told "Real Sports." "There's been some victories and some setbacks, and I still have to fight it and I still have a lot of work to do."

A Turner Sports spokesperson told Yahoo! Sports that Sager will continue his NBA broadcast schedule with TNT.