Role reversal: Kerr subs for ill Walton at practice
OAKLAND, Calif. — Steve Kerr was back in charge of the Golden State Warriors — for a practice at least.
Kerr ran practice Tuesday with interim coach Luke Walton out sick. Kerr has been out since training camp as he deals with complications from back surgery he had in the offseason.
“I felt pretty good, but I’m not 100 percent healthwise,” Kerr said. “But I’m getting better, building some strength. Today was a good day.”
Kerr said Walton will be back Wednesday for the home game against Utah and added he has no timeline for his return. He said he is pleased with his progress of late but wants to make sure he is completely healthy.
“This has been a really good week,” Kerr said. “That’s the main thing. I have to keep that going.”
Kerr said he’ll take a road trip to Dallas and Houston on Dec. 30 and 31 to test how he can handle the travel, and said he was confident he will be able to return at some point this season.
“I’m confident I’ll be back on the bench,” Kerr said. “I wouldn’t be here talking to you if I didn’t. I wouldn’t have been here the last nine days or whatever it’s been. Things are moving in the right direction.”
Kerr has been dealing with headaches after two back surgeries — the first procedure causing him to leak spinal fluid — that followed Golden State’s first championship in 40 years. He took a leave of absence the first week of training camp and watched the Warriors’ record 24-0 start behind the scenes.
Golden State (26-1) is off to the best start in NBA history under Walton, but the team still wants Kerr back whenever he can return.
“Having coach kind of test it out, he looks good, looks energized,” star guard Stephen Curry said. “I don’t really know how he feels inside, but he’s got his presence and his voice.”
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