Golden State Warriors

Steve Kerr reportedly was in excruciating pain as Warriors try to diagnose his ‘illness’

Published Apr. 23, 2017 6:52 p.m. ET

Nunzio Ingrassia

The Golden State Warriors are in total control of their first-round series after their come-from-behind 119-113 win over the Blazers on Saturday night to take a 3-0 lead. But as Golden State appears ready to move on to the second round, it’s the status of head coach Steve Kerr that has become the great unknown.

Kerr missed Saturday’s game with what the team described as an “illness,” leaving many to wonder if his current condition has anything to do with the complications he suffered from back surgery before last season. A spinal fluid leak caused numerous symptoms that included debilitating headaches and nausea, which caused him to miss the first 43 games of the 2015-16 season.

The Warriors haven’t provided specifics of Kerr’s condition – reportedly because they don’t have any answers yet – but whatever is affecting the Warriors head coach appears to have left him in a great deal of discomfort. According to the San Jose Mercury News, the worst symptoms have left Kerr in excruciating pain and barely able to walk.

Kerr is expected to miss the rest of this series against Portland, according to the report, leaving the health of the Warriors head coach as the biggest question on a team full of them. Kevin Durant missed his second consecutive game Saturday as he recovers from a calf injury while reserves Shaun Livingston and Matt Barnes were also unable to play for health reasons.

Kerr talked to the media Sunday about his symptoms and confirmed that he's not coaching in Game 4 and possibly might miss the rest of the postseason.

"The symptoms for whatever reason has taken a turn for the worst maybe five days ago," Kerr said. "I was able to manage the pain and discomfort over the last year and a half, and suddenly things got a lot worse and I don't know why.

“...This is not going to be a case where I’m coaching one night and not the next. I’m not going to do that to our team and our staff. We’re hoping over the next week or two – whatever it is – I can sort of make a definitive realization or deduction or just feel that I’m going to do it or I’m not.”

When asked if that could mean him missing the rest of the playoffs Kerr said, “Yeah, I just said that.”

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