In a tense game in Denver, Golden State Warriors coach Steve Kerr expressed his frustration with the officiating following his team’s narrow loss to the Denver Nuggets, which ended 119-115. The pivotal moment occurred when Nuggets guard Christian Braun appeared to signal for a timeout with just 1.9 seconds left on the clock, despite the Nuggets having no timeouts remaining. Kerr argued that this should have resulted in a technical foul, giving the Warriors a free throw and possession, altering the course of the game.
Kerr went on to criticize the referees, saying, “Braun called a timeout… Everybody saw it except for the three guys we hire to do the games.” Crew chief Tyler Ford explained after the game that since none of the officials clearly saw Braun signal for a timeout, the call was not made. Braun himself acknowledged that he was aware of his team’s timeout situation and denied calling for one, suggesting that his movements on the floor may have given that impression.
This loss marks the Warriors’ fifth consecutive defeat, highlighting a pattern of faltering in late-game situations. The team led by six points with just over two minutes left but ceded a late run to the Nuggets, who had trailed by 11 with little over six minutes remaining. Notably, the Warriors were without Draymond Green, who is dealing with calf tightness.
Kerr reflected on the team’s struggles to close out games effectively, stating, “We’ve got to hit singles; we got to make simple decisions.” He emphasized that poor decision-making has been detrimental to the team’s performance during this losing streak.
Looking ahead, the Warriors have challenging games approaching, including a quarterfinal NBA Cup match against Houston. While the recent performance may be frustrating, it also serves as a learning opportunity for the team to refine their strategies and execution during high-pressure moments. Kerr’s emphasis on better decision-making signifies a hopeful path toward improvement, as the team seeks to regain their earlier form after a strong start to the season.
In summary, while the referee controversy took center stage, the Warriors must focus on reinforcing their tactical execution to turn their fortunes around in the upcoming games.