Steve Kerr Ejected Against Clippers: Warriors Fall 103-102
Jan 2, 2026; San Francisco, California, USA; Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr (center left) argues with referee Evan Scott (center right) during the first quarter against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images
The night turned into a nightmare for the Golden State Warriors during their trip to Los Angeles. Despite a thrilling finish, the Warriors fell 103-102 to the Clippers, in a game marked by Steve Kerr’s ejection and Stephen Curry fouling out with 6 fouls.
A Sequence of Officiating That Made Steve Kerr Explode
The incident occurred early in the fourth quarter, with 8 minutes and 44 seconds remaining on the clock. Stephen Curry had scored on a driving layup, but the referees waved off the basket by calling a floor foul with a suspicious delay.
« Usually, they let it go when the shot goes in, » Curry said after the game. « I’ve never seen that: a late call, then ‘Oh, it’s a foul,’ and then ‘Oh, no basket.' »
Moments later, Gary Payton II had his layup blocked by John Collins, but replays showed that Collins had touched the ball after it hit the backboard. Lead official Brian Forte admitted in the press conference: « That should have been called as a defensive goaltending violation. »
This missed call led to a Clippers fast break and Curry’s fifth foul. Steve Kerr then exploded, jumping onto the court to confront all three officials. It took his assistants’ intervention to restrain him, before he received two consecutive technical fouls and was ejected.
Terry Stotts Takes Over, Curry Fouls Out
Terry Stotts, lead assistant, took control of the team for the finish and appeared at the press conference in Kerr’s place. « I’m here because I’m saving Steve from paying a fine, » he joked.
Despite their coach’s ejection, the Warriors showed character by outscoring the Clippers by nine points in the final quarter. Curry hit two 3-pointers in the final two minutes, finishing with 27 points and cutting the deficit to one point.
But the star point guard committed his sixth foul with 43 seconds remaining on a defensive rebound attempt, fouling out for the first time since 2021. Jimmy Butler missed the game-winning shot at the buzzer, leaving the Warriors at 19 wins and 18 losses.
This frustrating loss comes as Golden State had won six of their last nine games and is about to begin a stretch of eight consecutive home games, the longest of the season.
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