Warriors coach Steve Kerr to miss Game 4 after positive COVID test

The Golden State Warriors will be without Steve Kerr for Game 4 against the Memphis Grizzlies after he tested positive for COVID-19 hours ahead of tip-off. Mike Brown, who is set to become the head coach of the Sacramento Kings after the Warriors' playoff run, will lead the team Monday night.

Kerr, 56, has missed time on the sideline in the past — often due to back problems — with Brown stepping in for him in recent seasons. In 2017, Kerr missed most of the Warriors' postseason run to the NBA title, but the team was 12-0 in playoff games coached by Brown. Kerr returned for the 2017 NBA Finals, which the Warriors won in five games.

Golden State currently leads 2-1 in a contentious Western Conference Semifinals series against Memphis. The Warriors' Draymond Green was ejected from Game 1 and the Grizzlies' Dillon Brooks was ejected from Game 2. The latter ejection was for a flagrant foul that caused Gary Payton II to fracture his elbow. Kerr later told reporters that Brooks "broke the code" among NBA players by injuring Payton.

Grizzlies star Ja Morant was injured in the Warriors' blowout Game 3 victory and is expected to miss Game 4.