Skip to main content

Warriors coach Steve Kerr: Spinal fluid leak reason for leave of absence

Golden State Warriors coach Steve Kerr said a spinal fluid leak is the reason for his absence from the team. 
  • Author:
  • Publish date:

Golden State Warriors coach Steve Kerr said Sunday a spinal fluid leak is the reason for his leave of absence from the team.

The Warriors announced earlier this month Kerr was stepping away from the team to rehab his surgically repaired back. Sunday, Kerr said he sustained the leak during a July surgery to repair a ruptured disk.

“I had a spinal fluid leak during the first surgery,” Kerr told reporters after Warriors practice. “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 had another surgery on Sept. 4 after the leak was discovered. He said there is no timetable for his return to the team.

Jalen Rose Q&A: Fab Five, Larry Bird and much more

Assistant coach Luke Walton will be the interim head coach until Kerr returns.