NBA refs admit mistake, reveal what Steve Kerr yelled during ejection against Clippers

ByNBAUSA



INGLEWOOD, CA – The Golden State Warriors lost in a tough game against the LA Clippers on Monday night, and there was no shortage of fireworks in the process. Head coach Steve Kerr was kicked out of the game with 7:57 left in the fourth quarter on a seven-point play.

Kerr’s ejection came after back-to-back technical fouls he earned for screaming at officials over what he and the Warriors believed was a missed goaltending call. Gary Payton went for a layup but saw it blocked by John Collins. The whistle was not blown, and the Clippers began their transition opportunity as an angry Kerr bounced up and down the sideline toward the Clippers’ side of the court.

Kerr was quickly ejected with two technical fouls, but that seemed to spark the Warriors, who had a chance to win at the buzzer but saw Jimmy Butler’s baseline layup miss the mark.

After the game, crew chief Brian Forte spoke with ClutchPoints as part of an NBA Pool Report interview to clarify the incident and what led to Kerr’s ejection.

Tomer Azarly: What did Steve Kerr say that warranted the first and then the second technical foul that led to his ejection?

Brian Forte: For the first technical foul, Coach Kerr aggressively approached the referee yelling profanities. After the first technical was called, he continued to yell profanities as the assistant coach restrained him. And led to another technical error.

Tomer Azarly: It seemed as though the goalkeeping was what led to Kerr’s frustration. Was it properly uncalled and could that play have been whistled to trigger a review?

Brian Forte: (Gary) Payton’s shot hit the backboard before Collins touched it. A goalkeeper foul should have been called. The only way it could have been reviewed is if he was called to the floor and the Clippers contested the call, because that didn’t happen in the final two minutes of the game.

Tomer Azarly: Only in the last two minutes where can you start an automatic review?

Brian Forte: That is correct.

Tomer Azarly: Why didn’t Stephen Curry get a follow up on his made flouter a few plays before the 4th quarter?

Brian Forte: Curry was grabbed around the hip by (John) Collins before the huddle. And this was correctly called a foul without a shot.

https://k.com/TomerAzarli/status/2008425814019489961?s=20

This is a floater that Stephen Curry recovered and went in, then was cleared for a foul that occurred on the floor before the shot.

Kerr did not speak to the media after the game, and assistant coach Terry Stotts took over and began his interview with a joke.

“I’m here because I’m saving Steve (Kerr) some money,” laughed Stotts. “That’s the only reason I’m here. I think that goalie call was blown (that sent Kerr off). There were probably some other things, but that was probably the last straw.”

Stephen Curry would go on to foul out of the game and finish with 27 points, four rebounds, six assists and three steals. Jimmy Butler added 24 points, six rebounds, two assists and four steals, while Draymond Green added six points, five rebounds, 12 assists and two steals.

Kawhi Leonard led the Clippers with 24 points, 12 rebounds, five assists and two blocks. Rookie Kobe Sanders continued his strong campaign, scoring a career-high 20 points with seven rebounds and three assists while shooting 9-of-16 from the field. Five Clippers reached double figures, while Jordan Miller scored nine points off the bench.

With the loss, Golden State fell to 19-18 on the season and just 8-13 on the road. The Warriors will now return home for eight games and a chance to get back on track in front of their Bay Area fans.





2026-01-06 10:59:00

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