Warriors still concerned about Nelson's health

OAKLAND, Calif. – After suffering two dizzy spells during his return, Golden State Warriors coach Don Nelson has been asked to stay away from the team Friday so his health can be re-evaluated.

Nelson returned to the Warriors’ bench for a 111-109 loss to the Houston Rockets on Thursday night after missing the previous five games with pneumonia. Nelson, 69, looked fatigued and said afterward he had a dizzy spell during the third quarter and following the game.

Warriors general manager Larry Riley told Yahoo! Sports he asked Nelson to take Friday’s practice off to rest. Nelson will likely meet with the team’s medical staff on Saturday before deciding whether he should coach that night’s game against the Orlando Magic.

“I’ll have him slow down [Friday],” Riley said. “I’m concerned for him personally, but he’ll be all right. We’ll see. It’s a slow process.”

Nelson also said he wasn’t certain if he was physically able to go on the Warriors’ four-game road trip that begins Sunday. Assistant coach Keith Smart coached during Nelson’s absence with the Warriors, winning two of the five games.

Nelson said he was quarantined during his absence and had plenty of sleep, but he missed the competition. During the Rockets game, he looked tired and slumped on the bench next to Smart. Nelson said he “survived the game” and wasn’t certain why he had dizzy spells.

“I hope I keep getting better,” Nelson said. “That’s the plan, to keep getting better.”

There has been talk in the Bay Area media that Nelson should consider retiring – talk that he has dismissed.

“I addressed most of that two weeks ago,” Nelson said. “…I don’t really want to talk about those situations. But it is what it is. I think anytime the team isn’t winning consistently, everybody is going to be a target in terms of rumors and accusations. That’s just part of the territory.”