In today’s Dub Hub:
- Steve Kerr’s ejection during Monday’s loss against the Clippers draws full support from the Warriors locker room.
- Yahoo Sports’ Kevin O’Connor reports three new teams have been linked to a potential Jonathan Kuminga trade.
- Trae Young and the Hawks will reportedly work together on a trade to get the All-Star point guard out of Atlanta, per ESPN’s Shams Charania.
The Golden State Warriors needed a spark against the Los Angeles Clippers on Monday night — and head coach Steve Kerr provided it.
After a series of missed calls in the fourth quarter, Kerr finally had
enough. Arguing a non-call on a clear goaltending attempt involving Gary Payton II, the Warriors’ head coach had to be held back as he picked up two quick technical fouls and was promptly ejected from the game.
The emotion from Kerr’s outburst carried over to the floor. Golden State responded with its best stretch of the night, outscoring the Clippers 38–27 in the fourth quarter and nearly stealing the game.
The rally ultimately fell short in a 103–102 loss, but afterward, the Warriors’ stars made it clear they had their coach’s back. Stephen Curry, Draymond Green, and Jimmy Butler all praised Kerr’s willingness to stand up for his team, appreciating the passion and accountability he showed in the moment.
The NBA’s Pool Report for the game would later confirm what Kerr was arguing all along: the officials missed the goaltending call. The missed call loomed large in a one-point loss, but the response mattered just as much. Kerr stood up for his team, and the Warriors made it clear they had his back — something they’ll look to build on as they try to bounce back during their upcoming eight-game homestand.
For more on this and other news around the NBA, here is our latest news round-up for Tuesday, January 6th:
Warriors News:
Warriors’ biggest area of need is evident as ever after loss to Clippers | NBC Sports Bay Area
A loss still followed them back to the visitor’s locker room and onto their short flight back home. Why? Because the team with the greatest shooter of all time can’t shoot.
No team is going to win shooting 38 percent overall (35 of 92) with a 24.4 3-point percentage (10 of 41).
Steph Curry, to his standards, didn’t have the best shooting game. He went 9 of 23 from the field (39.1 percent) and 4 of 15 from 3-point range (26.7 percent), also making all five of his free throws. But his 27 points led all scorers from both teams, and the only reason the Warriors had a chance at the end was because of Curry’s back-to-back threes in the final minute and a half to bring them within one point before he fouled out at the 42.7-second mark for the first time since Dec. 17, 2021.
Will the Warriors make a bold move at the trade deadline or waste another elite season from Stephen Curry? | Yahoo Sports
League sources told Yahoo Sports at least three other teams have been linked to Kuminga: the Blazers, Pelicans and Wizards.
Hypothetically, Portland has Jerami Grant or Jrue Holiday to realistically offer in a trade. The Warriors are already small enough as is because Kerr has leaned heavily into three-guard and four-guard lineups, so Holiday should probably be avoided by general manager Mike Dunleavy. But Grant makes sense. At age 31, Grant is the odd man out for a young Portland team, but he can still offer versatile defense, reliable 3-point shooting and some shot creation.
Snoop Dogg served as a guest commentator for Monday’s Warriors-Clippers game
NBA News:
Power Rankings, Week 12: Spurs stay in lead; Rockets, Pistons in Top 5 | NBA
Last Week:5↑
Record: 26-9
OffRtg: 116.7 (9) DefRtg: 110.6 (2) NetRtg: +6.1 (5) Pace: 101.3 (13)
The Pistons are without three of their top eight players and, with their loss to the Heat on Thursday, they had lost three out of four games for the first time. But they remain three games ahead of the second-place Knicks after picking up a gritty win in Cleveland on Sunday afternoon.
Hawks and point guard Trae Young working together on a trade out of Atlanta
In case you missed it at Golden State of Mind:
Officials admit missed goaltending call in Warriors’ one-point loss to Clippers
Essentially, the officials admitted their error in not calling what was supposed to be a goaltending violation, which should’ve given the Warriors an extra two points on the scoreboard — a sore point considering that they went on to lose by a solitary point.
Follow @unstoppablebaby on X for all the latest news on the Golden State Warriors.
