Steve Kerr was visibly frustrated with the officiating following the Golden State Warriors’ narrow 119-115 defeat to the Denver Nuggets on Tuesday night. The controversy centered around a moment when Nuggets guard Christian Braun seemingly signaled for a timeout after recovering a loose ball with just 1.9 seconds remaining in the game, despite Denver having no timeouts left. Kerr argued that Braun’s actions should have resulted in a technical foul, granting the Warriors a free throw and possession, which could have swung the game in their favor.
In his postgame comments, Kerr expressed his disappointment that the officials missed the call. “Braun called a timeout… Everybody saw it except for the three guys we hire to do the games. That makes me angry,” he stated. However, crew chief Tyler Ford later explained that the officials did not recognize Braun’s signal as a valid timeout, leading to a jump ball instead.
Braun clarified that he was aware of his team’s timeout situation and did not intentionally call for one, noting that he was simply fumbling the ball on the ground.
This loss marked the Warriors’ fifth consecutive defeat, with the team struggling to close out games and maintain their leads. Despite starting the season strong with a record of 12-3, they now find themselves at 12-8. The absence of Draymond Green, who is dealing with calf tightness, has compounded their challenges, as they have struggled against formidable opponents like reigning MVP Nikola Jokic, who delivered an impressive performance with 38 points.
Looking ahead, the Warriors face upcoming matchups against the Houston Rockets and Minnesota Timberwolves, and Kerr emphasized the need for his team to improve their decision-making and execution in critical moments.
While frustrations surrounding the officiating and game outcomes are understandable, there remains hope for the Warriors to regain their form. With their talent and experience, they could use this situation as a learning opportunity to strengthen their resolve and chemistry on the court as they work for better outcomes in future games.
In summary, the Warriors have encountered a tough losing streak and critical missed calls, yet with self-reflection and a focus on execution, they can turn things around and return to their winning ways.