Jimmy Butler’s perfect reaction to Steve Kerr’s ejection against the Clippers

INGLEWOOD, CA – The Golden State Warriors entered Monday night’s game against the LA Clippers having won six of its last eight games and improved to 19-17 in the process. And while Steve Kerr‘s ejection from Monday night’s game was less than ideal, star forward Jimmy Butler he sees it as a positive for his team.

Butler finished with 24 points, six rebounds, two assists and four steals in Monday night’s loss to the Clippers. His game-winning go-ahead layup fell short at the buzzer, resulting in a 103-102 Clippers victory.

Tensions flared in the fourth quarter of the loss when Warriors head coach Steve Kerr was issued two technical fouls for a rough tackle on an uncalled goaltender on Gary Payton II’s layup attempt.

Kerr was ejected and did not speak to media representatives after the match. Instead, assistant coach Terry Stotts spoke up, if only to save Kerr money going after the officials.

Report from tonight’s game between the Clippers and the Warriors:

Manager Brian Forte says Gary Payton’s block attempt that led to Steve Kerr being sent off should have been called a goalie. Kerr repeatedly yelled profanities at the officials.

Stephen Curry’s floater that was cleared… pic.twitter.com/jTeh29KiTb

— Tomer Azarly (@TomerAzarly) January 6, 2026

However, in his postgame press conference, Butler refused to put this loss on the shoulders of the officials and the missed goalie call.

“I’m not going to lie to you, I really don’t pay too much attention to the refs,” Butler said after the game. “I think they have a tough job to do to be able to tell the difference between the follow-up, the goalie, all that. I just don’t think we need to get into the nitty-gritty of the referees.”

The Warriors took 15 more shots and six more free throws than the Clippers tonight, but Golden State remained aggressive and continued to attack the basket.

Butler was asked after the game if he had ever seen Steve Kerr as angry as he was in a game.

“I didn’t,” Butler replied. “Sometimes you see it on the internet, but that was the first time I saw it face to face. But like I always tell you, I love the confrontation when the motherfuckers start yelling, so that’s definitely good.”

Jimmy Butler on seeing Steve Kerr go off on the officials like he did last night against the LA Clippers:

“I didn’t. Sometimes you see it on the internet, but that was the first time I saw it face to face. But as I always tell you, I like confrontation when . . .” pic.twitter.com/ibLp50ZbIV

— Tomer Azarly (@TomerAzarly) January 6, 2026

Needless to say, any kind of fire his team shows is considered a positive for Butler, at least until his team is 100 percent healthy.

The Warriors will now finally return home for an eight-game home stretch and don’t leave San Francisco until January 21st.