Golden State Warriors coach Steve Kerr upset over ‘weird’ fouls late in loss to San Antonio Spurs

SAN FRANCISCO — The Golden State Warriors had an opportunity Sunday evening to start out their two weeks (at the very least) with out Stephen Curry on a very good word.

Led by Klay Thompson and Jordan Poole, they fought again from trailing the San Antonio Spurs by 10 within the third quarter. Momentum was on the Warriors’ facet throughout the closing stretch, and so they had two second-chance alternatives to take the lead as the sport entered its closing minute.

However, two fouls — one for the Warriors and one in opposition to them — modified the tune and delivered them a 110-108 defeat as a substitute.

“The fouls on the finish had been weird … I am shocked,” Warriors coach Steve Kerr mentioned. “I do not know the way these calls might be made. To name fouls in that scenario, each of them, one which went for us and one which went in opposition to us, I do not perceive. I do not perceive how we are able to resolve the sport primarily based on performs that don’t have anything to do with the sport. Gamers are speculated to resolve the sport.”

Thompson missed a 22-foot leap shot. Poole missed a 29-foot step-back jumper. Andrew Wiggins grabbed the offensive board, however Devin Vassell was known as for the foul, sending Wiggins to the road.

Wiggins break up the free throws, giving the Warriors a one-point lead, and that may have been OK if it wasn’t for the following play. After the Spurs rebounded the ball, Kevon Looney was known as for the foul on Jakob Poeltl. Poeltl additionally break up his foul photographs — tying the sport at 108 — however Keldon Johnson grabbed the board and obtained the shot on the buzzer.

“Wiggs had the ball, and it is as much as him to create a bit of house and get it out of visitors and get somebody a game-winning look,” Kerr mentioned. “After which, on the opposite finish, I obtained all people within the locker room after the sport telling me they don’t know why Looney obtained known as for the foul. He obtained snarled. That is how each play goes.”

Up till that time, Kerr was happy with how his crew performed. Along with not having Curry as a result of a sprained left foot, the Warriors misplaced Draymond Green within the third quarter after he picked up two fast technical fouls.

Kerr mentioned he was shocked at Inexperienced for choosing up his second technical foul, which he obtained slapped with lower than a minute after choosing up his first. Whereas Kerr mentioned Inexperienced by no means cursed on the referees or “made it private,” Inexperienced by no means stopped barking.

“As soon as he will get the primary one, he understands what it takes to get the second. And he did not assume he deserved it,” Kerr mentioned. “However he can not get kicked out of the sport. He is aware of we’re short-handed already.”

The Warriors’ loss to the Spurs kicks off a tough closing stretch of the schedule that may have direct playoff implications. Golden State’s upcoming five-game street journey options two back-to-back sequence, considered one of which ends on the Memphis Grizzlies, who’re a recreation and a half forward of the Warriors within the standings.

As soon as they’re again dwelling, the Warriors will host the Phoenix Suns, Los Angeles Lakers and Utah Jazz.

The Spurs recreation wasn’t one which had a huge effect on the Warriors’ playoff image, however as they play extra video games that do, they perceive the one which obtained away to San Antonio might hang-out them.

“Now we have to know that we’re undermanned, we now have 11 video games left, we’re wanting on the playoffs,” Kerr mentioned. “There’s obtained to be a way of urgency. There’s obtained to be a way of aggressive combat that we take to the opposite crew from the very starting.”