Warriors Coach Steve Kerr Ejected in Narrow Loss to Clippers

In a dramatic turn of events, Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr was ejected during a tightly contested game against the Los Angeles Clippers on January 5, 2026. With just under eight minutes remaining in the fourth quarter, the Warriors suffered a narrow 103-102 defeat, but the focus quickly shifted to Kerr’s heated exchange with the officiating crew.

Following Kerr’s ejection, assistant coach Terry Stotts addressed the media, humorously stating, “I’m up here because I’m saving Steve some money.” His remark hinted at Kerr’s propensity to speak candidly about officiating, which often results in fines from the NBA. This incident marked Kerr’s first ejection since March 28, 2022, and underscored the frustrations faced by the Warriors during the game.

The pivotal moment occurred when the referees did not call a goaltending violation on a layup attempt by Gary Payton II. Stotts noted that the missed call followed a controversial foul called against Stephen Curry, which further fueled Kerr’s frustration. As Kerr vocally expressed his displeasure towards head referee Brian Forte, he received two technical fouls, leading to his ejection.

Curry, who had a standout performance, reflected on the situation, stating, “Coach did the right thing, and we responded the right way. But on the road, that’s a tough moment.” His appreciation for Kerr’s fiery reaction was evident, especially considering the critical nature of the calls that he felt could shift the game’s momentum.

After the game, Forte confirmed to pool reporter Tomer Azarly of ClutchPoints that the no-call on Payton II’s layup “should have been ruled a goaltending violation.” However, he also justified Kerr’s ejection, citing his aggressive approach and use of profanity as reasons for the technical fouls.

Curry admitted he was on the verge of losing his temper with the officials, suggesting that Kerr’s ejection served to protect him from a potential technical foul. Veteran teammate Draymond Green echoed that sentiment, recalling previous instances where Kerr’s emotional responses were warranted. “I think it was the right reaction,” Green stated.

The Warriors rallied after Kerr’s departure, outscoring the Clippers 38-27 in the fourth quarter. Despite the momentum shift, the Warriors struggled to recover from Curry’s four fouls, which ultimately led to his first foul-out since 2021. Stotts leaned on the team’s veteran players to navigate the tumultuous final moments of the game, highlighting their experience in handling high-pressure situations.

“I was just trying to coach the game, and it helps we’ve got a veteran team,” Stotts commented. He added that Curry was instrumental in getting the team back on track before his exit from the game.

Curry, undeterred by the outcome, expressed his commitment to avoid fouling out in future games. When questioned about Kerr’s outburst, he reaffirmed his support, saying, “I love that fired-up Steve. Somebody had to do it tonight.”

As the Warriors prepare for their next challenges, the emotions and dynamics of the game in Inglewood will undoubtedly remain a topic of discussion among players and fans alike. The incident serves as a reminder of the fine line coaches must navigate between passion and composure in the high-stakes environment of the NBA.