Warriors will be without Kevin Durant, Steve Kerr for Game 3 against Blazers

PORTLAND, Ore. — The Golden State Warriors will be without coach Steve Kerr and star forward Kevin Durant for Game 3 of their playoff series Saturday night against the Portland Trail Blazers.

A person with knowledge of the situation confirmed to USA TODAY Sports' Sam Amick.

The reigning NBA coach of the year missed the morning shoot-around, and the team announced about three hours before the game against the Portland Trail Blazers that Kerr would not be on the sideline. Top assistant Mike Brown was acting head coach in Kerr’s place.

Durant practiced with the team Friday, but the team is holding their star forward out as a precaution. Durant also missed Game 2 after notching 32 points and 11 rebounds in the Warriors' Game 1 victory.

The Warriors go into the game with a 2-0 advantage over the Blazers in the first-round series.

The Warriors practiced in Oakland on Friday before flying to Portland, and Kerr clearly wasn’t feeling well then. The 51-year-old still experiences lingering symptoms from complications following two back surgeries after the franchise’s run to the 2015 championship. He missed the first 43 games last season dealing with symptoms such as headaches, nausea and an aching neck.

Despite his prolonged absence, the Warriors went 73-9 last season and played in the NBA championship game. Kerr was named coach of the year.

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