Injuries are a part of the game. Whether it’s basketball, football or even baseball, injuries will happen at any any time and any place. Yes, players can take care of their bodies, eat healthy and take all the pre-cautionary steps to avoid an injury, but even then you’re not safe.
Championships plans have been derailed because of injuries, so as a fan, you can only pray that the injury bug does not bite your team. The Warriors have dealt with injuries in the past, most recently with Kevin Durant and his banged up knee. Luckily, Durant seems to be recovering well and although he missed Game 3 with a calf injury, the Warriors should have him close to one hundred percent soon.
Steph Curry suffered a knee injury against the Rockets last season and some could argue that a healthy Curry would have won the Warriors their second title, but that is in the past. Now, the Warriors seem like they are all healthy and ready to bring back the Larry O’Brien trophy back to the Bay Area.
While the players all seem to be in good health, it’s their head coach that is suffering from an injury. Steve Kerr has admitted that he is still battling a back injury and according to Marcus Thompson of the Bay Area News Group, Kerr will miss Game 4 and potentially the entire post-season:
Kerr said he is consulting with doctors. He said he is hoping for improvement. Says he will not coach tomorrow
— Marcus Thompson (@ThompsonScribe) April 23, 2017
Kerr did not rule out missing the entire postseason
— Marcus Thompson (@ThompsonScribe) April 23, 2017
An injury to a coach in rare, but the Warriors have experienced this before. Ever since Coach Kerr opted for surgery, his back issues only got worse. Now, the 51-year-old head coach regrets going under the knife to address his back injury and it could cost him the rest of the playoff run and his coaching career.
A spinal-fluid leak during surgery has made it almost impossible for Kerr to coach this team, but has endured the pain these last two years. However, this last week his issues flared up and had to step away for Game 3. Kerr won’t be available for Game 4, but the Warriors seem to have this series locked down. Now the question is whether the Warriors will have Kerr for the next series and beyond.
Kerr will obviously be re-evaluated and if there is anything that can help subside the pain, rest assured Kerr will do whatever it takes to get back on the sidelines.