Steve Kerr confronted the game officials following the Golden State Warriors’ narrow 119-115 defeat to the Denver Nuggets on Tuesday night. His frustration stemmed from an incident involving Nuggets guard Christian Braun, who momentarily signaled for a timeout after securing a loose ball with just 1.9 seconds remaining in the game. The problem was that Denver had no timeouts left. Kerr argued that this scenario warranted a technical foul, which would have granted the Warriors a free throw and possession of the ball, giving them a chance to overturn the game.
Despite Kerr’s strong belief that Braun’s call was clear, the head referee, Tyler Ford, maintained that none of the officials recognized Braun’s timeout signal. Ford stated, “Christian Braun never fully or clearly signaled for a timeout. Therefore, a timeout was not recognized.” Braun himself dismissed the notion that he had called for a timeout, clarifying that he was aware of his team’s timeout situation after discussions with his coach and staff.
The loss marked the Warriors’ fifth straight defeat, a slump that has seen them squander leads late in games. They let a six-point advantage slip away within the last 2:32 of the match. Denver, which trailed by 11 at one point, rallied to finish the game with an impressive 21-6 run.
Compounding the Warriors’ challenges, they played without Draymond Green due to calf tightness. In his absence, they struggled defensively against Denver’s Nikola Jokic, who dominated the game with 38 points, 10 rebounds, and several assists.
Warriors star Stephen Curry contributed significantly, with 24 points, 11 assists, and 7 rebounds. However, despite the talent on the roster, Kerr noted the team’s ongoing issues with closing out games: “We lost because we didn’t close. Again. This is like the fifth game in a row where we’re not executing, we’re not making good decisions.”
As the Warriors shift focus to upcoming games against Houston and Minnesota, they will aim to improve their decision-making and regain their footing in the season. Kerr emphasized the need for simpler choices on the court, recognizing that the league punishes teams that attempt risky plays in crucial moments.
In summary, while the Warriors’ recent performances have been disappointing, there is an opportunity for the team to learn, regroup, and regain their earlier form as they prepare for back-to-back games. With their collective experience and talent, there’s hope that this setback can act as a catalyst for improvement in the weeks ahead.