Golden State Warriors may be without Steve Kerr through playoff run
The Golden State Warriors may have to get used to an absent Steve Kerr for the duration of their playoff run.
In his first remarks since mysteriously sitting out Saturday’s 119-113 win in Portland against the Trail Blazers, the Golden State coach said it was too soon to tell when he might be able to return while dealing with chronic back pain.
He did not rule out missing the entire postseason, if need be.
“I will say this. This is not going to be a case where I’m coaching one night, not coaching the next,” Kerr told reporters Sunday from the Moda Center, adding that he will not coach in game four on Monday.
“I’m not going to do that to our team, our staff. We’re hoping that in the next week or two, whatever it is, I can sort of make a definitive realisation, deduction, or just feel that I’m going to do this or I’m not.”
Kerr, 51, missed the first 43 games of the 2015-16 season due to complications from a pair of back surgeries in 2015.
He said he is still experiencing symptoms such as migraines and nausea, the aftereffects of a spinal fluid leak during one of the procedures.
Though Kerr’s health improved in the regular season – he coached in all 82 games – the symptoms have flared up in recent weeks to a point where he is unable to perform usual coaching duties.
He said he is consulting doctors to determine the best way to proceed.
Warriors assistant Mike Brown, who coached 83 playoff games while with the Cleveland Cavaliers and Los Angeles Lakers, will assume head coaching duties in Kerr’s absence.
Golden State hold a 3-0 lead in the Western Conference first-round series.
