Kerr, Morant will likely miss Game 5

Warriors head coach Steve Kerr and Grizzlies star Ja Morant each missed Game 4 of the Western Conference semifinals, and neither is expected to be ready to be back for Game 5 today in Memphis.

Acting head coach Mike Brown said Kerr did not make the trip to Memphis while the Grizzlies announced Tuesday that Morant, who averaged more than 38 points in the first three games of the series, is “doubtful” for the remainder of the playoffs after a MRI revealed the point guard has a bone bruise on his right knee.

Kerr tested positive for COVID-19 on Monday before Golden State's Game 4 against the Memphis Grizzlies, forcing the Warriors' associate head coach, Brown, to take the reins on late notice in their eventual 101-98 win on Monday that gave his team a commanding 3-1 series lead.

Brown addressed reporters via a videoconference on Tuesday evening from Memphis and offered sympathy for Morant while also noting how the Warriors can't afford to lose focus with the Grizzlies' best player off the floor.

“You don't wish injury upon anybody. It's tough for him as an individual,” Brown said. “He seems like a great person from afar, I don't really know him. Tough for his family, the city of Memphis and his team. We have to stay focused and locked in and understand, no matter who they put on the floor, they're more than capable of beating us. We have to have that appropriate fear in order to get over the hump.”

Morant and Memphis coach Taylor Jenkins have recently pointed to a Game 3 play they believe exacerbated Morant's knee issues. On the play, two Warriors trapped Morant and Jordan Poole grabbed Morant's knee while reaching for the ball.

Jenkins said he was, “actually going to be very curious to see what happens,” to Poole, but the NBA did not discipline the Warriors' guard for the play.

Kerr participated digitally in Golden State's staff meeting on Tuesday morning before the team departed San Francisco. Kerr also called in during halftime and after Game 4.

“He'll be part of this throughout,” Brown said.

Brown, somewhat jokingly, called for Kerr to return as soon as possible, but said he could not provide a timeline for Kerr's return from health and safety protocols.

“I'm hoping he can coach tomorrow at shootaround, but it doesn't look like he will be available,” Brown said.

Brown also noted a handful of Warriors have recently taken COVID-19 tests, but none have tested positive.

Hours before Game 4, Brown was named the Sacramento Kings head coach.