Kerr set to rejoin Warriors in SoCal
Coach improving, to join team on trip
OAKLAND — Warriors coach Steve Kerr has seen his condition improve and is expected to join the team in Southern California on its three-game preseason trip, according to interim head coach Luke Walton.
An additional positive sign emerged Thursday for the Warriors, who have been without Kerr for the past two weeks. They crushed under - manned Houston in a 123-101 preseason win that snapped them out of a funk and two-game losing streak.
After Draymond Green said before the game he was upset about his team’s level of play thus far, the Warriors went out and sparkled at Oracle Arena while scoring 82 points by halftime, including a team-high 19 points from Stephen Curry.
“That’s very valuable when he’s leading out there, being vocal and making plays for us,” Walton said of Green, who had four points, four assists and seven rebounds.
Said Curry: “Our energy was great. Our execution was pretty spot on tonight.”
Walton said he spoke with Kerr on Wednesday and received a vote of confidence. Walton along with the Warriors’ championship-experienced players have taken on greater responsibilities during Kerr’s leave of absence to focus on rehabilitation after two offseason back surgeries.
There remains no timetable for the return of Kerr, who has said a spinal fluid leak was the cause of symptoms, including headaches. Walton said he didn’t know how much of practice and games Kerr might be a part of when the team is scheduled to travel Friday to San Diego. Kerr has a home there, and his ability to travel was welcome news for the Warriors.
“He wouldn’t be coming down with us at all if he was still as bad as he was, so I think it shows signs of improvement,” Walton said. “I don’t think it means he’ll be back within the next two days, but all you can ask for is that he keeps getting better.”
The Warriors didn’t get through their latest game without an injury, as Andrew Bogut suffered a broken nose in the second quarter after being struck on the follow-through of a dunk attempt from the Rockets’ K.J. McDaniels.
Bogut was scheduled to undergo minor surgery to reset the nose and help his breathing and said he expected to miss the next two games in San Diego and Los Angeles before likely returning to play the finale in Anaheim wearing a mask.
The news was better for Harrison Barnes, who missed the game for precautionary reasons with a bone bruise in his right knee. He participated in the shootaround and likely would have played had it been a regular-season game, according to Walton.
The Warriors led the Rockets by as many as 35 points and were able to rest most of their starters in the second half.
Curry came out after halftime to hit a technical foul shot before immediately coming out of the game for good. By then, he had gone 6 for 7 from the field and dished out six assists in 18 minutes.
Klay Thompson finished with 16 points. Getting the start in place of Barnes, Brandon Rush added 12 points, was 2 for 5 from 3point range, and got to play a team-high 27 minutes.
“He played well tonight, but we’ve seen him doing that every day in practice,” Walton said.
Festus Ezeli had five blocked shots to go along with 11 points and five rebounds while Bogut was sidelined. Marreese Speights had 12 points and eight rebounds.
The Warriors feasted on the Rockets, who were missing eight players because of rest, rehabilitation and injury. Star players James Harden and Dwight Howard were among those not to even travel with the team in order to spend time recovering from ailments.
“It just felt good to win again,” Thompson said. “It didn’t feel right losing two in a row. I don’t care if it’s preseason or not.”
Guard Juwan Staten n was waived after scoring two points in his preseason debut.