Steve Kerr not ready to return to coach Warriors in NBA Finals

Steve Kerr is unlikely to be on the Warriors bench when the NBA Finals begin on Thursday but there’s a chance he could return later in the series.

No team has been able to stop the Golden State Warriors so far in the postseason. The Warriors have swept the first three rounds to set up a rematch of the last two Finals with LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers. The only bad thing to happen to the Warriors this postseason is losing their head coach Steve Kerr who is feeling the effects of a back surgery two years ago that sidelined him during parts of the regular season last year. Kerr has seen assistant coach Mike Brown fill in while he’s sidelined and that is expected to continue for Game 1 of the NBA Finals.

Kerr addressed the media on Memorial Day with Brown battling an illness and provided an update on his health. “As of right now, I will not coach Thursday night,” Kerr said, via ESPN. “It’s still up in the air.”

Brown is expected to be fine in time for Thursday’s game and while Kerr’s status is more unsettled, it sounds as if there is an outside chance Kerr could return at some point during the Finals.

Kerr has battled migraines and nausea and has visibly looked to be in great pain when he coached through his ailments and Kerr says he’s still feeling those effects even if he is getting closer to a return. A final decision on Kerr’s status will be made prior to Game 1 on Thursday.

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Despite not being on the sidelines during the games, Kerr has been able to be a part of the team. He’s participated in practices, meetings with coaches and other things that go on behind the scenes. Kerr is also quick to point out it’s Brown’s team right now and he is the one who is making the in-game decisions.

Golden State and Cleveland meet in Game 1 of the NBA Finals on Thursday night.