Golden State, Portland coaches to miss road trips

Golden State coach Don Nelson and Portland coach Nate McMillan wil miss upcoming NBA games due to health issues, their clubs announced Friday.

Nelson, 69, has not fully recovered from pneumonia and will not travel with the Warriors on a five-game road trip that begins on Monday in Oklahoma City.

After missing five games, Nelson returned Thursday against Houston and will guide the team in another home game Saturday against Orlando. Doctors have advised Nelson to remain in the area next week to regain his strength.

Keith Smart, Nelson's top assistant, coached five games with Nelson out and will take charge of the 6-12 club for the road swing, with Nelson rejoining the team in mid-December when the road trip ends.

At Portland, McMillan ruptured his right Achilles tendon during a Friday practice session and will undergo surgery on Monday. He will coach Saturday against Houston but skip a four-game road trip that starts next week.

Dean Demopoulos, an assistant coach for the Trail Blazers, will coach in place of McMillan when the trip begins Monday in New York.