SAN FRANCISCO – Golden State Warriors coach Steve Kerr tested positive for COVID-19 on Monday and was replaced by assistant coach Mike Brown in Game 4 against the Memphis Grizzlies in the NBA Western Conference semifinals.
Kerr, 56, has been wearing a mask regularly in his final days at the club.
The Warriors said Kerr received his test result about an hour and 45 minutes before kick-off at Chase Center.
Brown reached an agreement on Sunday to manage the Sacramento Kings but will remain with the Warriors for the remainder of the post-season.
“Obviously, the news has revealed that Steve Kerr has contracted COVID. I want to wish you the best and hope he recovers very soon and rests,” Memphis coach Taylor Jenkins said.
“The way things are in the world, COVID continues unabated, so I want to make sure it’s going to be okay. I know the timing and everything else is bad, but I hope it keeps his spirits high. I just want to send you a good note out there.”
Brown, a former coach for the Cleveland Cavaliers and Los Angeles Lakers, has repeatedly seconded his close friend Kerr, and has post-season coaching experience.
Brown went 11-0 in the playoffs with the Warriors in 2017 when Kerr was inactive due to weakness issues after complications from back surgery.
Kerr returned for the second game in the NBA Finals that the Warriors won that season.