Despite missing the services of Kevin Durant, Shaun Livingston and Matt Barnes during Game 3 of their first round series against the Portland Trail Blazers on Saturday, the Golden State Warriors may have a more serious health concern they need to face.

When the Dubs announced that Steve Kerr won't be calling the plays for them last night, they gave the reason of him having an “illness” which forced him to be absent inside the Moda Center. However, according to a piece by Marcus Thompson II of The Mercury News, the fourth-year head coach is apparently in “bad shape” and is in a lot of pain. A source also revealed that he may not even return for the remainder of the series against the Blazers.

“At the worst of this current illness, Kerr was in excruciating pain, according to the sources, and he could barely walk. It was scary because it wasn’t a feeling he’s had before. The worst part, the Warriors don’t yet know what is going. They had to say “illness” because there are no answers yet.

“Kerr hasn’t felt well all series, according to people around him, and recently it become unbearable. It is unknown if these issues are even related to his past well-known health problems.

“'Oh no,' one source said about Kerr returning this series. ‘He thinks like a player does, wanting to get back. But he’s got to get right.'”

RECOMMENDED (Article Continues Below)
Steph Curry and Chris Paul could play overseas.

Nick Meyer ·

Warriors' Mike Dunleavy Jr. saying "We got to be better" next to Klay Thompson and Draymond Green

Brett Siegel ·

Draymond Green on one side in a Golden State Warriors uniform with an arrow pointing to Draymond Green in a blank uniform, a bunch of question marks in the background

Owen Crisafulli ·

Although his exact condition remains unclear, the speculations that have emerged are not promising. Even with a very talented roster, the Warriors are still a better team with Kerr at the helm. If there's any good news for them at this point, they know he is getting a lot of rest, which his body needs, and assistant coach Mike Brown is ready to assume the head coaching position while he is recovering.

Kerr's situation may also serve as motivation for the team to play better, and the players dedicating their games to their mentor. Although his absence can be considered a huge loss for the Warriors, they know his health comes first, and they just need to hope he gets well the soonest to rejoin them once again later in the postseason, should they make it that far.