Kerr sympathizes with Hornets’ ailing coach
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — After shoot-around Wednesday morning at Spectrum Center, Warriors head coach Steve Kerr offered support for Charlotte head coach Steve Clifford, who has taken a leave of absence to address his health.
“I want to send him my best wishes,” Kerr said. “Obviously, I’ve been in his shoes. I don’t know what his health issues are, but it’s no fun.”
Clifford missed his second straight game Wednesday night with an undisclosed illness. Associate head coach Stephen Silas is the acting head coach.
The team has offered no timetable for Clifford’s return. He has dealt with heart problems in the past, but the Associated Press, citing a person familiar with the situation, reported that Clifford’s latest health issue was not heart-related.
Kerr recognizes how difficult it is to step away from the bench for health reasons. For more than two years, he has endured the aftermath from a back surgery that resulted in a spinal-fluid leak. Kerr missed half of the 2015-16 season and 11 games during the 2017 playoffs to seek an answer to his pain.
“I’m hoping he gets healthy and is back on the sidelines soon,” Kerr said of Clifford. “But more importantly, I just hope that he’s healthy.”
McCaw ailing: Ninety minutes before tip-off, the Warriors announced that guard Patrick McCaw entered the NBA’s concussion protocol.
McCaw didn’t return to Monday night’s win at New Orleans after getting knocked in the nose by the Pelicans’ DeMarcus Cousins ona dunk attempt midway through the second quarter. Before news of his concussion surfaced, McCaw was ruled out of Wednesday’s game with a bruised nose.
There is no time frame to complete the protocol, and recovery varies by injury and player. If all goes well, McCaw could be available Friday night in Detroit.
In the meantime, Golden State’s backcourt will be thin. Shaun Livingston and Quinn Cook, recalled Wednesday from the Gatorade League, are the Warriors’ only available point guards, with Stephen Curry sidelined at least two weeks with a sprained right ankle. Andre Iguodala and Kevin Durant figure to initiate the offense at times.
Pachulia update: Center Zaza Pachulia left Wednesday’s game midway through the first quarter with shoulder soreness. Asked later whether he expects to play Friday in Detroit, Pachulia said he “most likely” won’t.