Warriors’ Steve Kerr: NBA pace, schedule fueling injury spike

Warriors coach Steve Kerr said he is “very concerned” that the NBA’s blistering pace combined with an 82-game schedule is playing a role in the surge of soft-tissue injuries around the league.

In the past two days alone, Giannis Antetokounmpo suffered a groin strain, while the Spurs announced that Victor Wembanyama is dealing with a left calf strain and Stephon Castle has a hip flexor strain.

Several other notable players remain sidelined with calf issues, including Anthony Davis, Ty Jerome, Dylan Harper, Ja Morant and Jrue Holiday.

Kerr said the Warriors’ medical staff believes the increased speed and mileage is catching up to players.

According to ESPN Research, the league is operating at its fastest average pace since the 1988-89 season. Player tracking shows that teams are combining to travel 34.3 miles per game at an average speed of 4.43 miles per hour, both the highest marks since tracking began in 2013.

“Across the league, everyone understands that it is easier to score if you get out and run,” Kerr said, via Anthony Slater of ESPN. “When everybody plays that way, the pace gets much higher. Everyone has to cover out to 25 feet because everyone shoots threes.

“Players are running faster and further than they ever have. We basically have a game every other night. It is not easy.”

Kerr has long pushed for a shorter schedule. He believes trimming the regular season to 72 games or fewer would improve player health and give teams more practice time.

“We have not had a single practice on this road trip,” Kerr said. “Eight days on the road and not one practice.

“It is just game after game. There is no recovery time and no practice time.”

Golden State is already on its fifth back-to-back of the season. By the end of Wednesday’s game in Miami, the Warriors will have played no 17 games in 29 days across 12 cities.

Kerr does not expect real change anytime soon. Shortening the schedule would mean less revenue for teams, players and the league office.

“That is the tricky part,” Kerr said. “Everyone would have to agree to make less money. In 2025 in America, good luck with that.”