After experiencing a setback midweek, Warriors head coach Steve Kerr may return as acting head coach for Game 2 of the NBA Finals, sources have told ESPN.
“He may coach Sunday. He’s feeling better,” a source close to Kerr told ESPN’s Marc Spears.
Adding to @ramonashelburne, source close to Kerr said, “He may coach Sunday. He’s feeling better.” https://t.co/gxcm2uT4Yl
— Marc J. Spears (@MarcJSpearsESPN) June 2, 2017
The Warriors and Kerr did not rule out a return for Game 1 earlier in the week, holding back on an announcement on who would be coaching until two ours before game time. Kerr had been feeling better and hoped to return on Thursday, but suffered a setback on Wednesday, and instead spent his 11th consecutive playoff game away from the Golden State bench, as he continues to struggle with complications from back surgeries two off-seasons ago.
Kerr wants to string multiple days of feeling well together before he makes the decision to return. Warriors GM Bob Myers has stated that Kerr does not want to return until he is confident he will be able to make it through the rest of the series.
Kerr reportedly watched Game 1 at Oracle Arena with former assistant and current Lakers head coach Luke Walton, who himself filled in for Kerr while he was out during the beginning of last season.
The coaching question marks have not affected the Warriors, who are now 13-0 in the playoffs after blasting Cleveland 113-91 in Game 1.