Warriors Out! Kerr’s Future Uncertain After Play-In Loss

Warriors Miss Playoffs Again, Kerr’s Job on the Line

The Golden State Warriors are heading home early again. Fans are left wondering what’s next after a tough play-in tournament loss last night.

The team, led by Steph Curry, Coach Steve Kerr, and Draymond Green, faced off against Devin Booker and the Phoenix Suns. The winner would grab the eighth seed in the Western Conference and a first-round playoff game against the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Early on, Devin Booker was on fire, driving to the basket and scoring through contact. The Suns jumped out to a big lead, finishing the first quarter up 33-5. It made many wonder if the Warriors, a team with championship pedigree, could mount a comeback.

Suns Dominate Early, Warriors Fight Back

In the second quarter, the Warriors started to show signs of life. After a turnover by the Suns, Jaylen Green took the ball the other way for a dunk.

Then, Steph Curry turned defense into offense, stealing a pass and hitting a deep three-pointer to cut the lead to 43-36. Even less experienced players like Brandon Podziemski showed hustle, grabbing a crucial tip rebound to keep the Warriors within five points before halftime.

The Warriors continued to close the gap in the second half, pulling within two points. However, Jaylen Green answered with a tough, fading three-pointer from the corner.

The Suns took a 50-45 lead into the break. In the third quarter, Green, as described by commentator Mark Jones, “started cooking with fish grease,” hitting multiple three-pointers, including a deep shot from about 34 feet.

Booker and Green Lead Suns to Victory

Jaylen Green kept his hot shooting in the fourth quarter, hitting another difficult shot after a ball fake and dribble. Devin Booker also showed his offensive skills, making a running, one-legged floater in the mid-range.

Booker finished with a game-high 36 points, and he had also played well in the first play-in game. Booker added 20 points and eight assists in this game, helping the Suns extend their lead to 99-84.

Ultimately, the Phoenix Suns secured the win with a final score of 111 to 96. The game ended with a moment of tension. Draymond Green intentionally fouled Booker late in the game.

The two players exchanged words after Green went to the bench, leading to both players being ejected. Green made sure to voice his displeasure as he left the court.

Warriors’ Core Reflects on Season, Future Uncertain

With this loss, the Golden State Warriors’ season is over. They will not make the playoffs for the second time in three seasons.

After the game, the team’s veteran core spoke about their time together and what might happen next. Steph Curry expressed appreciation for the year and their shared history, hinting that it might be the last time they are all together.

“I don’t know what’s going to happen. Um, I still love coaching. Um, but I get it.

Um, these jobs all have an expiration date. Um there’s a run that happens and when the run ends sometimes it’s um time for new blood and new ideas and all that. If that’s the case then I will be just nothing but grateful for the most amazing opportunity.”

Coach Steve Kerr’s contract is also up, and his return to the sidelines is uncertain. He acknowledged that coaching jobs have an end date and expressed gratitude for his time with the Warriors, suggesting it might be time for “new blood and new ideas.” Despite the uncertainty, players like Curry and Green hope for Kerr’s return.

Looking Ahead: Warriors’ Contracts and Kerr’s Decision

Looking ahead, key players like Steph Curry, Draymond Green, Moses Moody, and Brandon Podziemski are under contract for next season. The biggest question mark for the Warriors this offseason is the future of head coach Steve Kerr. His four-year championship run with the team has been historic, but his contract situation leaves his return in doubt.

The Warriors finished the season with 604 wins and four championships under Kerr. His coaching legacy is already secure, with many expecting him to eventually be inducted into the Hall of Fame. His time as a player with the Chicago Bulls also includes championship success.

Magic Cruise Past Hornets in Play-In Blowout

In another play-in game, the Orlando Magic easily defeated the Charlotte Hornets. Before the game, Magic player Paolo Banchero admitted Charlotte had “kicked our butts this season,” as Orlando had lost three out of four games to the Hornets by double digits. Banchero stated he needed to improve his game by attacking the basket and creating for his teammates, which the team responded to well.

Orlando started strong with an early 10-0 run. Wendell Carter Jr. scored 10 of his 16 points in the first quarter alone, helping the Magic build a 12-point lead.

The Magic, who were considered a disappointing team in the Eastern Conference this year, showed their potential in this game, leading by 22 points after the first quarter. They continued to extend their lead in the second quarter, with Jalen Suggs scoring 12 points in the first half.

Magic’s Dominance and Playoff Bound

The Magic’s defense was stifling, as evidenced by Wendell Carter Jr.’s shot-blocking. The Hornets struggled offensively, finishing the first half with more turnovers than field goals.

Orlando’s dominant performance continued into the third quarter, where they led by 26 points. Franz Wagner scored 25 points, adding six rebounds and five assists.

The Magic secured the largest win in play-in history, defeating the Hornets by 31 points. This victory sets them up for a first-round playoff series against the top-seeded Milwaukee Bucks. This marks Orlando’s first playoff appearance since the 2009 playoffs when they defeated LeBron James and the Cavaliers.

Playoff Matchups Set Across the NBA

The NBA playoffs are officially here, with several exciting first-round matchups set. In the West, the Phoenix Suns will face the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder. DraftKings Sportsbook lists OKC as a massive favorite at minus 3,000 to win the series, indicating a 97% chance of advancing.

The Eastern Conference playoffs begin with a 4-5 matchup between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Toronto Raptors. Cleveland has a strong playoff history against Toronto, winning 12 of their 14 postseason meetings.

Out West, the Minnesota Timberwolves will face the Denver Nuggets in a rematch of recent playoff series. Minnesota won the conference semifinals last year, while Denver won the first round in 2023 on their way to the championship.

More Playoff Storylines to Watch

Another intriguing Eastern Conference series features the Atlanta Hawks against the New York Knicks. New York won the regular season series 2-1, with Jalen Brunson averaging 29 points per game against Atlanta. Mquille Alexander Walker averaged 28 points for the Hawks in those matchups.

In the West, the Los Angeles Lakers will host Kevin Durant and the Houston Rockets. This series is notable as it features two players in the top five all-time in scoring, LeBron James and Kevin Durant. This is the first playoff series between such high-scoring legends since Michael Jordan and Karl Malone in 1998.

Expert Analysis on Playoff Contenders

NBA analyst Quinton Richardson discussed the Lakers’ chances against Houston, emphasizing the need for all players to step up. He highlighted the importance of home-court advantage and getting the crowd involved. LeBron James is expected to lead the way, but he needs significant contributions from his teammates like Rui Hachimura and D’Angelo Russell.

For the Atlanta Hawks to upset the Knicks, Richardson stressed the need for aggressive play, especially driving to the basket and pressuring the rim. The goal is to try and get Knicks stars like Jalen Brunson into foul trouble. He also mentioned that New York’s home crowd will be a factor, and the Hawks need to be ready for a hostile environment.

Vincent Goodwill added that LeBron James’ message to his Lakers teammates is simple: “Get your ass down there and rebound.” Considering Houston is the league’s best rebounding team and the Lakers are missing key players like Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves, controlling possessions is crucial. Goodwill also noted that fans should cherish watching LeBron play, as his retirement is likely approaching.

Regarding the Knicks, Goodwill suggested they should focus on a “sacrifice” approach, highlighting the favorable matchup for Karl-Anthony Towns against the Hawks. Towns has averaged nearly 29 points per game against Atlanta this season, shooting efficiently from the field and beyond the arc. Exploiting this matchup could be key for New York’s playoff success.

Source: Warriors miss playoffs in 2 of last 3 seasons 😳 Is Steve Kerr’s time with GSW over? | SportsCenter (YouTube)