The Golden State Warriors achieved one of the best starts in NBA history without the man who led them to a championship last season. But as of Friday night, Steve Kerr is back.
Kerr has been out since October, missing all of training camp and the first 43 games of the season with complications from back surgery. In his absence, interim coach Luke Walton more than admirably performed, leading Golden State to a 39-4 record, despite not getting any official credit for his victories.
Kerr announced his return after the Warriors’ morning shootaround, and said that his first game back will be Golden State’s home matchup with the Indiana Pacers on Friday night.
The Warriors coach has been traveling with the team since the end December, and he appeared to be feeling more like himself recently by doing things like draining half court shots and performing improv comedy at Second City.
The return comes at a good time for the team, as well. After uncharacteristically losing two out of three games, Golden State got back on track in a major way this week by blowing out two eastern conference contenders (Cleveland and Chicago) on the road. Snagging the coach’s first official win (although he was credited for all the wins Walton got this season) over the Pacers would make for an even bigger week.
(Via NBA.com)