Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr accepted blame for his team’s poor start in Wednesday’s 131-116 defeat against the Houston Rockets in Game 5 of their first-round playoff series.
Speaking postgame, Kerr said, “I didn’t have them ready to play,” after the Warriors committed three fouls within the first two minutes and allowed the Rockets to make all 13 of their first-quarter free throws.
Houston opened with a 40-24 run and never looked back, riding Fred VanVleet’s 26 points and Amen Thompson’s 25 to stave off elimination and force a Game 6.
Kerr acknowledged the Warriors’ lack of defensive focus, stating, “We can’t come out with that lack of defensive focus and energy and expect to beat a great team on their own floor in a closeout game.”
By halftime, the Rockets had built a 27-point lead and were shooting 55.1% from the field, including 63.2% in the opening period.
Kerr said he planned to rest his starters early in the second half, giving the group five minutes to show a spark before pulling the plug.
“There was no point chasing this game with Game 6 in 48 hours,” he said, referencing conversations with Draymond Green before the third quarter.
Golden State’s starters combined for only 30 points, with Stephen Curry scoring 13 and Jimmy Butler finishing with eight on 2-of-10 shooting.
Moses Moody led the Warriors with 25 points off the bench, while Golden State’s reserves totaled 76 points and cut the deficit to 13 in the fourth quarter.
Kerr praised the second unit’s effort, saying, “They set a tone that we’re going to need for Game 6.”
A scuffle in the final minutes further disrupted any chance of a comeback when Pat Spencer was ejected for headbutting Alperen Sengun following a shove on Dillon Brooks.
Kerr also addressed growing concern about defenders hitting Curry’s shooting hand after release, calling it “the dumbest thing I’ve ever heard,” but acknowledged it falls within current league rules.
“I’m very confident the league will fix it next year,” he added.
Despite the lopsided loss, Kerr drew comparisons to past playoff experiences and expressed confidence in his team’s ability to regroup.
“This is what the playoffs are about,” he said, pointing to Miami’s 2023 series against Boston and the Warriors’ own 2016 Finals collapse as examples of the postseason’s volatility.
Game 6 will take place Friday at Chase Center, where Golden State will try again to close out the series and avoid a decisive Game 7.
Houston is aiming to become just the 14th team in NBA history to overcome a 3-1 series deficit.
