Steve Kerr expressed his frustration following the Golden State Warriors’ narrow 91-90 defeat to the Houston Rockets, a loss he attributed largely to a controversial officiating decision. The defeat ended the Warriors’ chances to advance to the NBA Cup semifinals in Las Vegas.
Kerr’s anger boiled over when a loose ball foul was called on Jonathan Kuminga with just 3.5 seconds remaining in the game. This foul was particularly contentious as it occurred far from the basket, during a chaotic scramble for the ball. With the Warriors leading by one point, Houston’s Fred VanVleet drew the foul, converting both free throws to give the Rockets a late lead. Stephen Curry’s last-second 3-point attempt was blocked, sealing the Warriors’ fate and allowing the Rockets to celebrate their victory, snapping a 15-game losing streak against Golden State.
In the aftermath, Kerr highlighted the bizarre nature of the call, saying he had never witnessed such an official intervention at such a critical moment. He voiced his belief that the game should be decided by the players rather than officials, especially after allowing a physical game to play out without much interference until that point.
Crew chief Bill Kennedy defended the decision, stating that the defender’s contact with the opponent’s neck and shoulder warranted a foul. Kerr and Curry both felt that other moments in the game, including a missed call on Curry moments earlier, significantly influenced the outcome and momentum.
Curry acknowledged that while officials are often debated in the aftermath of games, the loss was primarily rooted in their inability to convert opportunities in crucial moments. He noted that additional calls could have changed the game’s trajectory, emphasizing the fine margins in closely contested matches.
This defeat marks the second occasion in less than a week where Kerr questioned a late-game official decision that he felt impacted the outcome for the Warriors. Despite the disappointment, Kerr and the team remain focused on regrouping and improving their play as they move forward in the season.
While the loss stings, it can also serve as motivation for the Warriors to rally and come back stronger in future games, with their sights still set on overall season success. The team can learn from this experience and use it as a lesson to focus on execution during critical moments, fortifying their resolve as they navigate the rest of the season.