Steve Kerr, the veteran head coach of the Golden State Warriors, is currently weighing his options following the team’s abrupt exit from the postseason. The four‑time NBA champion coach hinted on Friday night that he might step away from the bench after the Warriors fell 111-96 to the Phoenix Suns in the Western Conference play‑in game, a loss that ended Golden State’s hopes of advancing further.
The Suns, who secured the final Western Conference playoff berth, will now face top‑seeded Oklahoma City Thunder in the next round. For the Warriors, the defeat marked the close of a season that fell short of expectations, with veteran guard Stephen Curry, now 38, contributing 17 points in what proved to be the final regular‑season effort for the franchise. In the aftermath of the game, Kerr offered a cryptic response when asked about his future, saying, "It might still go on.
It may not." The coach then embraced Curry and Draymond Green—two players who have been the backbone of the Warriors’ championship runs under Kerr’s guidance—and appeared to whisper a heartfelt "thank you" before the cameras cut away. When pressed for details about that private moment, Kerr smiled and replied, "None of your business." Both Curry and Green have been vocal about their desire to keep Kerr at the helm. Curry emphasized his wish for the coach to remain happy and enthusiastic about his job, noting that their mutual respect needs no further explanation.
Green echoed the sentiment, admitting that he struggles with change and hopes the organization will find a way to retain Kerr, even though the future remains uncertain. At 60 years old, Kerr is concluding his 12th season with Golden State. His record during that span stands at an impressive 604 wins to 353 losses. He guided the Warriors to the NBA Finals in each of his first five seasons—a streak that included three consecutive championships—and added another Finals appearance later in his tenure.
Beyond the NBA, Kerr also led USA Basketball to a gold medal at the Paris 2024 Olympics, underscoring his reputation as one of the sport’s most successful coaches. Kerr indicated that he will soon sit down with Warriors owner Joe Lacob and general manager Mike Dunleavy to discuss the next steps for the franchise. He suggested that a decision could be reached within a week or two, stating, "We'll talk about what's next for the Warriors, what the plan is this offseason, and we will come to a collaborative decision on what's next. I don't know what's going to happen." He also reflected on the nature of coaching careers, acknowledging that every tenure has an expiration date.
"I still love coaching, but I understand that these jobs have a shelf life. When a run ends, sometimes fresh ideas and new blood are needed. If that’s the case, I will be grateful for the incredible opportunity I’ve had to coach this franchise, its fans, Steph Curry, Draymond Green, and the entire group," Kerr said. While the Warriors contemplate their coaching future, the NBA play‑in tournament continued elsewhere.
In a separate game, Orlando Magic forward Paolo Banchero dropped 25 points as the Magic routed the Charlotte Hornets 121-90, clinching the eighth seed for the playoffs. Banchero also contributed five rebounds and six assists, while teammate Franz Wagner added 18 points, shooting efficiently from the field and free‑throw line. Hornets guard LaMelo Ball led his team with 23 points and five assists, but it wasn’t enough to break the Magic’s momentum.
The 2026 NBA playoffs are set to kick off on Sky Sports this Sunday, April 19, with four live games airing on Sky Sports Action beginning at 6 p.m. British Summer Time.
The schedule includes: - 6 p.m.: Philadelphia 76ers (7) @ Boston Celtics (2) - 8:30 p.m.: Phoenix Suns (8) @ Oklahoma City Thunder (1) - 11 p.m.: Orlando Magic (8) @ Detroit Pistons (1) - 2 a.m.: Portland Trail Blazers (7) @ San Antonio Spurs (2) Sky Sports will also broadcast all Western Conference Finals games live starting May 20. The match‑ups, with home‑court advantage noted first, are: - Oklahoma City Thunder (1) vs.
Phoenix Suns (8) - San Antonio Spurs (2) vs. Portland Trail Blazers (7) - Denver Nuggets (3) vs.
Minnesota Timberwolves (6) - Los Angeles Lakers (4) vs. Houston Rockets (5) - Detroit Pistons (1) vs. Orlando Magic (8) - Boston Celtics (2) vs. Philadelphia 76ers (7) - New York Knicks (3) vs.
Atlanta Hawks (6) - Cleveland Cavaliers (4) vs. Toronto Raptors (5) Fans can watch the entire 2026 NBA Playoffs live on Sky Sports, either through a traditional subscription or via the NOW streaming service, which offers contract‑free access.
The ongoing speculation surrounding Kerr’s future adds an extra layer of intrigue to what promises to be an exciting postseason for basketball enthusiasts worldwide.