As the Warriors begin the Western Conference semifinals, Steve Kerr’s coaching future remains murky. But this part seems clear: The players do not expect Kerr to ride to the rescue anytime soon.

Back to Gallery Warriors’ players planning on Steve Kerr not returning... 3 1 of 3 Photo: Jason Miller, Getty Images 2 of 3 Photo: Scott Strazzante, The Chronicle 3 of 3 Photo: Scott Strazzante, The Chronicle





Draymond Green, speaking after Monday’s practice, said he and his teammates are proceeding as if Kerr will miss the rest of the postseason. In their minds, Mike Brown now is the team’s head coach.

“We plan on Steve not to come back,” Green said. “That’s the way we’re approaching this thing. We’re not going to sit around and say, ‘Oh, man, if we can get to the conference finals Steve may be back!’ Nah. Mike Brown is our coach.”

Kerr took an indefinite leave of absence before Game 3 of Golden State’s first-round sweep of Portland to deal with health issues. He has been dealing with complications from back surgery nearly two years ago, including migraines, neck pain and nausea.

Much as he did last season, when he missed the first 43 games of the regular season, Kerr is staying involved behind the scenes. Brown regularly speaks to Kerr and already had talked to him twice before addressing reporters early Monday afternoon.

“My whole deal is I’m going to coach the team until Bob (Myers) and Steve tell me otherwise,” Brown said. “I’m not putting a timetable on it, just taking it one day at a time. The reality of it is, Steve and I talk a couple of times a day.”

Kerr and Brown have a friendship stretching back nearly 17 years. Kerr spent four of his final five seasons as a player in San Antonio; Brown was a Spurs assistant coach for two of Kerr’s four years with the team (2000-01 and 2002-03).

This transition went smoothly in the last two games against the Trail Blazers. The Warriors rallied to win Game 3 by six points, then used a 45-point first quarter — maybe their most impressive quarter all season — to fuel a 128-103 rout in Game 4.

So now they turn their attention to Utah, insisting they are not wondering when Kerr might rejoin the fray.

“We hope and pray Steve gets better, and can come back, but at the end of the day, his health is more important than anything,” Green said. “So we’re here in support of him. We know how bad he wants to be here and how bad we’d love for him to be here.

“But he needs to take care of himself, and whether it’s this year or next year that he’s back, we’re ready. We’re going to approach these entire playoffs as if Steve isn’t coming back. I think it’s a lot easier to adjust if we hear otherwise and he’s back on the bench.”

Kerr has undergone medical tests at Stanford, according to ESPN.com, and reportedly will continue tests and procedures this week. He’s also trying to remain part of the team’s preparations for Game 1 against Utah on Tuesday night.

“You can tell the way things are going, the way practices and meetings are going, he still has his imprint on everything,” Green said. “I think he’s still involved, but I don’t know how much.”

Stephen Curry suggested the Warriors’ players receive updates on Kerr’s condition. Curry also echoed Kerr’s stated preference to make absolutely sure he’s ready to return, rather than come back for a day or two and then have to leave again.

“He wants to come all the way back and be ready to go,” Curry said.

Ron Kroichick is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: rkroichick@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @ronkroichick