Steve Kerr Fumes Over Controversial No-Call in Warriors’ Loss to Nuggets
Tuesday night’s showdown between the Golden State Warriors and the Denver Nuggets ended in fireworks—not the celebratory kind for Warriors fans. Instead, it was a heated moment that left Golden State head coach Steve Kerr absolutely livid. The Warriors fell 119-115 to the Nuggets, but the final seconds of the game are what everyone is talking about.
With just 1.9 seconds left on the clock, Denver’s Christian Braun secured a loose ball while on the floor. To Kerr and many watching, it appeared that Braun signaled for a timeout. The problem? The Nuggets had no timeouts remaining. If Braun had indeed called for one, it would have resulted in a technical foul, giving the Warriors a free throw and possession—potentially flipping the game’s outcome. Instead, the officials called for a jump ball, and the Nuggets held on for the win.
NBA’s Last Two Minute Report Clears the Air
On Wednesday, the NBA released its Last Two Minute Report, which reviews officiating decisions made in the final two minutes of close games. According to the report, the officiating crew made the correct call—or rather, the correct no-call. The report stated that Braun “never fully or clearly signals for a timeout and therefore a timeout is not recognized.”
For Warriors fans, that explanation might not be much of a consolation. After all, the team has now dropped five straight games, and this one stung particularly hard. Golden State had a six-point lead with just 2:32 remaining, only to watch Denver storm back with a 21-6 run to close out the game. The Warriors’ struggles to finish games have been a recurring theme this season, and this loss only added fuel to the fire.
Christian Braun Denies Calling Timeout
After the game, Braun addressed the situation, denying that he had called for a timeout. “No,” Braun said when asked directly. “It might’ve looked like it maybe. I was fumbling the ball on the ground a little bit. My hands moved but the refs didn’t call it.” He also mentioned that Nuggets head coach Michael Malone and his staff had made it clear to the team that they were out of timeouts, so he was aware of the situation.
Still, Kerr wasn’t buying it. “Braun called a timeout,” Kerr said in his postgame comments. “He dove on the floor, he rolled over. Everybody saw it except for the three guys we hire to do the games, and that makes me angry. That’s a technical foul. They don’t have a timeout left. We shoot a free throw, we get the ball, we got a chance to win the game.”
Warriors’ Late-Game Collapse Adds to Frustration
While the no-call on Braun’s supposed timeout was the headline-grabber, it’s worth noting that the Warriors had plenty of opportunities to close out the game before that moment. Golden State led by 11 points with just over six minutes remaining, but their inability to execute down the stretch proved costly. Denver’s late-game surge, led by their relentless defense and clutch shot-making, left the Warriors reeling.
For a team with championship aspirations, the Warriors’ recent skid is concerning. Losing five straight games is bad enough, but the manner in which they’ve lost—blowing leads and struggling in crunch time—raises serious questions about their ability to contend in a loaded Western Conference.
Key Takeaways from the Controversial Finish
Here’s a quick breakdown of the key points from Tuesday’s game:
- The NBA’s Last Two Minute Report confirmed that the officials were correct in not calling a technical foul on Christian Braun for signaling a timeout.
- Steve Kerr was adamant that Braun did call for a timeout, expressing his frustration with the officiating crew after the game.
- The Warriors blew an 11-point lead with 6:13 remaining, allowing the Nuggets to close the game on a 21-6 run.
- Golden State has now lost five consecutive games, raising concerns about their ability to close out games and maintain leads.
What’s Next for the Warriors?
For Kerr and the Warriors, the focus now shifts to regrouping and finding a way to snap their losing streak. The team’s struggles in late-game situations have been a glaring issue, and addressing those problems will be crucial if they hope to turn their season around. As for the Nuggets, this win only solidifies their status as one of the top teams in the league, showing their resilience and ability to capitalize on opponents’ mistakes.
One thing is for sure: this game will be remembered not just for the final score, but for the controversy that surrounded its closing moments. Whether you side with the officials or Kerr, it’s clear that emotions are running high in the NBA, and every call—or no-call—can make all the difference.
Originally Written by: Ohm Youngmisuk
