Warriors notes:
Popovich’s status for Game 3 unclear after death of his wife, Erin.
SAN ANTONIO >> The news caught the Warriors off guard. They learned toward the end of practice on Wednesday that Erin Popovich, the wife of Spurs coach Gregg Popovich, died from an extended illness at age 67.
“I want Pop to know that the whole NBA family is supporting him and got his back through it all,” Warriors forward Kevin Durant said. “It’s bigger than the game. It’s bigger than winning and losing. It’s about the brotherhood we’ve built with the NBA family. I feel so bad for Pop and his family. That is tough to hear.”
The news particularly struck Warriors coach Steve Kerr and Warriors assistant coach Mike Brown, both of whom respectfully declined to comment as they mourned the news. Kerr played for the Spurs in two different stints (1999-2001, 2002-2003), while Brown served as a Spurs assistant (2000-03) and consultant (2015).
“Prayers go out to his family,” Durant said. “Man, that’s tough. This game is a beautiful game and it brings people together. You build friendships from playing the game. You have so much support from so many people that you would never cross paths with if it weren’t for basketball.”
It is not immediately clear if Popovich will coach when the Warriors and Spurs play Game 3 of their first-round series today. Popovich ran the team’s practice on Wednesday. Spurs assistant coach Ettore Messina has
served as an interim coach on a periodic basis. The Warriors lead the series 2-0.
“We mourn the loss of Erin,” Spurs general manager RC Buford said in a statement. “She was a strong, wonderful, kind, intelligent woman who provided love, support and humor to all of us.”
Warriors guard Shaun Livingston referenced the news on his Twitter account shortly after practice ended.
“There is more to life than this game of basketball,” Livingston tweeted.
• Kerr disputed a report from TNT play-by-play announcer Kevin Harlan during Game 2 that said Kerr informed him Stephen Curry
would be sidelined for an additional three weeks to rehab his Grade 2 MCL sprain in his left knee.
“It was probably a miscommunication when we met before the game,” Kerr said. “We don’t have any timetable for this. I’m not exactly sure what that was about.”
Curry, who wore a knee brace on Wednesday, will be reevaluated on Saturday. He spent Wednesday’s practice completing various light shooting, running and lateral movement exercises.
• The Warriors listed center JaVale McGee as questionable for Game 3 today because of a left quad contusion.
McGee suffered the injury during the Warriors’ Game 2 win over the Spurs on Monday at Oracle Arena and sat out of practice on Wednesday. Though McGee said he felt fine after practice, Kerr could shuffle his starting center position. While Kerr has relied on David West and Kevon Looney, veteran Zaza Pachulia has received a healthy scratch for the past two games.
“I’m not going to divulge what I will do, but we’ll rely on our depth and we got guys we can go to,” Kerr said.
Kerr added “there’s a good chance” Pachulia will play.
“This is how it’s been all year,” Pachulia said. “So regardless, I’ll be positive and will be ready.”
McGee brought early positive returns in the starting lineup in the playoffs, averaging 12.5 points on 71.4 percent shooting and 5.5 rebounds in 17.5 minutes. McGee also limited Spurs forward LaMarcus Aldridge to 14 points on 5-of-12 shooting, though he rebounded in Game 2 with 34 points.
Meanwhile, Kerr said West will be available to play in Game 3 after suffering a left ankle sprain in Game 2.
• The Warriors hardly flinched on the NBA not rescinding a flagrant-foul 1 given to Draymond Green after swinging his right arm toward Spurs forward Davis Bertans. Green openly hoped for the call to be rescinded after questioning why Bertans was not penalized for wrapping his left arm around Green’s chest and neck area.
“I got no comment,” Kerr said. “They make their decision and we move on.”