Kevin Durant

Warriors rule out Kevin Durant and Steve Kerr for Game 3 vs. Blazers

Published Apr. 22, 2017 9:24 p.m. ET

Andrew Lynch

The Golden State Warriors are without both Kevin Durant and Steve Kerr for Game 3 of their first-round series against the Portland Trail Blazers.

The team announced Kerr would not coach due to an illness, with assistant Mike Brown serving as acting head coach. The Warriors did not elaborate on the nature of Kerr's illness. Golden State also ruled out reserves Matt Barnes and Shaun Livingston.

https://twitter.com/WarriorsPR/status/855944345383346177

Durant is recovering from a left calf strain he suffered in Game 1. He practiced on Friday after sitting out Game 2 in Oakland, and Kerr told reporters the decision was largely precautionary (via The Mercury News):

“Look, if it was Game 7 of the Finals, (Durant) could play,” Kerr said. “We’re not talking about something that could damage his career. What we’re talking about is something that if it potentially gets worse and knocks him out for a few weeks, it’s not worth it.”