Golden State Warriors Coach Steve Kerr Has Spinal Fluid Leak: When Will He Return?

As the NBA preseason begins, many people have wondered about the absence of Golden State Warriors Coach Steve Kerr. Hence, in order to remove the confusion and clarify to people the real status of his health, Kerr spoke to the media and  revealed the real reason for his absence.

According to the report by ESPN, Kerr suffered a spinal fluid leak on a ruptured disk which he obtained during his back surgery this offseason. As a result, the leak resulted to Kerr taking an indefinite leave from his coaching duties in order to give time for his back to fully heal and perhaps, prepare him to be fully healthy and ready when the NBA season begins.

"I had a spinal fluid leak during the first surgery. It's very rare, it does happen occasionally, but it happens when there's an accidental nick of the dura that surrounds the spinal cord. But I lost spinal fluid, took about a month to figure out what was going on, a lot of headaches, some other symptoms," Kerr told the media via ESPN.

However, the former Phoenix Suns GM and President highlighted that his back is already on the rehabilitation process after his surgery last October 4 fixed the spinal fluid leak.

Nonetheless, Kerr, who will be entering his second season with the Warriors after a 67-15 win-loss season, expressed that he still cannot return to the team, citing that he is still experiencing some of the symptoms caused by the leak despite having the surgery.

"It (symptoms) makes it difficult for me to be on the floor. And so the prospects are good. I'm going to heal. The doctor says everybody's body is different. It's a matter of your body sort of recalibrating," Kerr explained via NBA.

The Champion coach did not also give a specific timetable for his return, emphasizing that the injury is not a simple "sprained ankle" that will heal in just about one or two weeks. He also highlighted that he would prioritize his health first as he deems it necessary to have the energy to coach the NBA defending champions throughout the upcoming season.

Despite this, Kerr assured everybody that he will return and "everything will be fine" on his part. 

Kerr chose to join the Golden State Warriors last season despite having offers from Phil Jackson and the New York Knicks. As a rookie coach, he led the young Warriors team that features league MVP Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, Draymond Green, Andre Iguodola, and Andrew Bogut into a 4-2 series win in the NBA finals against the Cleveland Cavaliers led by fellow rookie coach David Blatt.

Meanwhile, with Kerr's indefinite absence, the 35-year old Assistant Coach Luke Walton will be serving as the Warriors interim coach.