Coach Kerr attends Warriors practice after leave of absence

Kerr, 51, has not been on the bench since Game Two of a first-round playoff series against the Portland Trail Blazers on April 19 because of recurring issues resulting from back surgery two years ago.

The Warriors will meet the San Antonio Spurs in Game One of the Western Conference finals on Sunday at Oracle Arena in Oakland, Calif.

Kerr took part in coaches meetings and talked with acting head coach Mike Brown at the end of Saturday's practice at the team's downtown practice facility.

Kerr, who sought treatment at Duke University Medical Center for recurring headaches and nausea while he was away from the team, did not speak with the media afterward. It was reported last week that Kerr had a spinal cord leak procedure while at Duke.

Some of Kerr's players were encouraged to see him engaged again.

"It's great any time you can hear his voice, see his face," guard Stephen Curry said. "He's obviously been doing his homework in between his down times, helping us get prepared for this series and you know he misses being around for the day-to-day routine and the atmosphere, practice, locker room and games and all that. His ability to be here means a lot."

Brown will continue as acting coach but said Kerr has joined the coaching staff for early meetings the past few days.

"He looks good," Brown said. "The more that he can be around, the better feel that all of us have. Not just the players, but us as a staff, so it was good to see him out here today."

Brown isn't sure whether Kerr will be at Oracle on Sunday to watch the series opener against the Spurs. He did not attend the games during the previous series against the Utah Jazz. (Editing by Andrew Both)