Ailing Kerr may miss rest of Warriors’ run

PORTLAND, Ore. — Ailing Golden State Warriors coach Steve Kerr says he won’t be on the sidelines for Game 4 on Monday against the Trail Blazers because of symptoms stemming from back surgery and could miss the remainder of the playoffs.

“This is not going to be a case where I’m coaching one night and not coaching the next,” Kerr said. “I’m not going to do that to our team or our staff. We’re hoping that over the next week or two, whatever it is, I can sort of make a definitive realization or deduction, or just feel it that I’m going to do this or I’m not.”

Kerr stayed behind at the team hotel for Saturday night’s Game 3 at Portland’s Moda Center. Assistant Mike Brown took over and the Warriors overcame a 17-point first-half deficit to win 119-113 and go up 3-0 in the firstround series.

The reigning NBA Coach of the Year still experiences lingering symptoms from complications following two back surgeries after the franchise’s run to the 2015 championship. He missed the first 43 games last season dealing with symptoms such as headaches, nausea and an aching neck.

“This is something I’ve been dealing with, but doing OK,” Kerr told reporters at the team hotel Sunday. “Ups and downs but consistently coaching. This past week for whatever reason, things got worse. My symptoms got worse.”

He said that his status for the rest of the playoffs remains uncertain.

Kerr, who clearly wasn’t feeling well on Friday before the team departed for Portland, hadn’t missed a game this season before Saturday, when he also missed the shootaround. He is in ongoing discussions with his doctors.

Stephen Curry passed the game ball to Golden State general manager Bob Myers to give to Kerr on Saturday night. The Warriors can sweep with a victory Monday night.