Kerr hopes vaccine for team arrives soon

Warriors head coach Steve Kerr is optimistic that his team can get the coronavirus vaccine soon.

“I think we’ve all been very careful about not jumping in front of the line, in front of people who really desperately need (the vaccines) and who are eligible for them,” Kerr said before Saturday night’s game against the Grizzlies at FedEx Forum. “Hopefully we are getting to the point where there are going to be vaccines available for everybody to see.”

The Warriors have dealt with their share of coronavirusrelated issues this season. Center James Wiseman and forward Draymond Green missed the preseason after positive coronavirus tests. A midJanuary game against the Suns was postponed until early March because coronavirus tracing left Phoenix without enough players. Now, more than halfway through the season, Golden State has three players — Wiseman, forward Eric Paschall and center Kevon Looney — in the league’s health and safety protocols.

It’s unclear how much time Looney will miss, but Wiseman and Paschall aren’t expected to return until Thursday’s game at Sacramento. The Warriors were forced to play the Grizzlies on Saturday without a true center. Secondyear forward Alen Smailagic, who had played five minutes all season, got the start at center.

On Wednesday, the NBA and players union agreed to offer expanded benefits for those who have been vaccinated. Fully vaccinated individuals no longer have to quarantine following exposure to the virus. They can have friends, family and others visit at home and on the road without having them test or register with the team, and they can dine outdoors at restaurants.

Fully vaccinated teams don’t have to wear masks at the practice facility. They have more flexibility to leave the team hotel on the road, and they can dine indoors or outdoors at restaurants.

Some teams, including the Hawks, have begun inoculations. Kerr said he considered taking the Warriors to nearby Mississippi — where vaccines are more easily obtained — on their Memphis trip, but that “wasn’t something we actually executed.”

“I think we’re to the point where we’re all comfortable,” Kerr said. “The NBA has done a great job of not having any of us jump in front of the line. That’s really important that we make sure everybody who needs a vaccine gets one before us, but it seems now we’re getting to the point where there are supplies. There are extras. There are ways to do it without jumping in line.

“I’m not an expert. But just from what I read and what I hear, that’s what it feels like.”