Golden State Warriors expect coach Steve Kerr to return during 2017 NBA Playoffs

The Golden State Warriors expect head coach Steve Kerr to return to the bench at some stage during the ongoing 2017 NBA Playoffs. Kerr missed Games 3 and 4 of the first-round series against the Portland Trail Blazers because of complications from two previous back surgeries.

Bob Myers, Golden State's general manager, told The Associated Press on Wednesday that the team is feeling confident about Kerr's return. "Look, what he's facing is fixable. It's just finding the issue and solving it. So I think that's how you have to differentiate what he's going through with somebody else. Some things are not fixable in life. Some things that confront people don't have solutions. There is a solution here. We just need to discover it, and we will. I'm confident we will," Myers said.

According to ESPN, the 51-year-old Kerr will be examined at Stanford this week before taking a call on his availability for the rest of the playoffs. Last year, Kerr missed the first 43 games of the regular season due to a spinal fluid leak in the aftermath of his back surgery. "It's not easy, but it's not insurmountable. This one, we will overcome it. And those aren't just words, that's the truth. I wouldn't put a time on it, but that's how I feel. Certain diagnoses you are forced to accept entirely and know that there isn't a solution. There is a solution for this, we've just got to find it," added Myers.

Mike Brown coaching the team in Steve Kerr's absence

In his absence, top associate Mike Brown led the Warriors to a 4-0 clean sweep of the Blazers. However, analysts expect the Warriors to struggle without Kerr in the latter stages of the postseason especially when it comes to making in-game adjustments against top teams such as the Houston Rockets, San Antonio Spurs and Cleveland Cavaliers. After finishing off the Blazers, Brown acknowledged that the team needs Kerr back in its quest to win the 2016-17 NBA championship.

"Steve's going to be a part of this process all the time. Really, almost before I do anything I'm going to consult with him. The only time I won't consult with him is probably during the game -- at least I don't want the NBA to know I've got a little chip right here ([in neck) that I can communicate with him in in-game situations. We'll keep that among us," said Brown, who previously coached the Cleveland Cavaliers in the 2007 NBA Finals.

Steve Kerr succeeded Mark Jackson as coach of the Golden State Warriors before the 2014-15 NBA season. Since taking over, Kerr has led the Warriors to a minimum of 67 regular-season victories in each of his three seasons. Kerr also led the Warriors to its first NBA championship in over 40 years.