The Golden State Warriors had to close out the Memphis Grizzlies in the second round of the playoffs without their head coach, Steve Kerr.
Prior to Game 4 against the Grizzlies, the Warriors coach testest positive for COVID-19. Kerr missed the final three games of the series, including the Warriors’ win in Game 6 to punch a ticket to the Western Conference Finals.
On Sunday, Kerr returned to the Warriors after clearing the league’s health and safety protocol. Kerr is set to return to the Warriors sideline for Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals.
Via @anthonyVslater on Twitter:
Steve Kerr has cleared protocol and is back with the Warriors ahead of the conference finals.
— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) May 15, 2022
Without Kerr, Mike Brown took the role of acting head coach against the Grizzlies for Games 4, 5 and 6. With Kerr back on the sideline, Brown will shift back to his assistant chair on the bench. Golden State’s remaining playoff games will be Brown’s final run with the Warriors. Following the conclusion of the postseason, Brown will officially be introduced as the next head coach of the Sacramento Kings.
With the Western Conference Finals set, Kerr and Brown will have to find a way to slow down the red-hot Luka Doncic and the Dallas Mavericks. To earn a spot against the Warriors in the Western Conference Finals, Doncic and the Mavs exploded in Game 7 to eliminate the top-seeded Phoenix Suns on Sunday.
Game 1 of the highly-anticipated series between the Warriors and Mavericks is set to tip-off on Wednesday at 6 p.m. PT at San Francisco’s Chase Center.
This post originally appeared on Warriors Wire! Follow us on Facebook and Twitter!
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