Kerr may make return in Game 2

OAKLAND, Calif. — Right before the NBA Finals began, Steve Kerr said if he felt good, he should coach the Warriors, and if he didn’t, he shouldn’t.

On Friday there was a report of “optimism” around the Warriors that Kerr could coach in Game 2 Sunday. Kerr has been out since the opening round fighting complications from back surgery. The Warriors have ruled nothing in or out all along, saying only that if Kerr felt up to the task he could return.

ESPN reported Kerr might be feeling up to it, quoting a source close to the coach as saying “He may coach Sunday. He’s feeling better.”

Assistant Mike Brown has served as the acting head coach in Kerr’s absence and said on a media conference call he has not been told about any return.

“No, it’s the same. I’m going to coach until they tell me it’s different,” Brown said. “So I haven’t heard anything from him. The plan is I’m going to continue to coach until either he or [general manager] Bob Myers tells me anything different.”

➤ After combining to average 27.8 points while shooting .519 (125-of-241) through the first three rounds of the playoffs, the Cavaliers’ quartet of Tristan Thompson (0-of-3), J.R. Smith (1-of-3), Kyle Korver (0-of-3) and Deron Williams (0-of-4) combined for three points and 1-of-14 (.071) shooting in Thursday’s 113-91 Game 1 wipeout loss to the Warriors. A first quarter 3pointer by Smith accounted for all the scoring.

“We got to do a better job of playing with more pace, attacking more. And they did a good job of switching out on pin-downs,” Cavaliers coach Tyronn Lue said Friday. “We got to do a better job of getting those guys shots. But if we play with pace and we’re attacking the basket, then that will help open up shots for those guys.” After the game, LeBron James said the supporting cast can’t be overwhelmed by the moment and should just play as they always have.

“[We need them] just to be themselves and do what they have done throughout the course of the season, throughout the course of the last couple years,” James said. “Play with energy, play with effort, play with their mind and their bodies and understand what we’re trying to accomplish.”

By improving to 13-0 in the playoffs, the Warriors broke the NBA record for most consecutive wins in one postseason (Spurs, 12, in 1999) and tied the mark for most consecutive overall playoff wins (Lakers, 13, in 1988 and ’89; Cavaliers, 13, 2016 and ’17).