Steve Kerr clears COVID-19 protocols, will coach Warriors in Western Conference finals

Steve Kerr is back.

After missing three games against the Memphis Grizzlies in the NBA's COVID-19 health and safety protocols, the Golden State head coach will return to the bench for the Western Conference finals. The Warriors announced the news on Sunday.

The Warriors struggled at times in Kerr's absence, but went 2-1 to close the Grizzlies out in six games with assistant coach Mike Brown leading the bench. With Kerr sidelined for Game 5, the Warriors suffered a 134-95 loss in a closeout game, their largest margin of defeat this season. They trailed by as many as 55 points in the game that saw Golden State pull starters Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green in the third quarter.

The Warriors will face the winner of Sunday's Game 7 between the Phoenix Suns and Dallas Mavericks in the conference finals. If Phoenix wins, the top-seeded Suns will host the No. 3 seed Warriors on Wednesday. If No. 4 seed Dallas wins, Golden State will start the series with home-court advantage and host Game 1 in San Francisco on Wednesday.