Steve Kerr, the veteran head coach of the Golden State Warriors, is weighing his options following the team’s abrupt exit from the postseason. The four‑time NBA champion’s tenure may be approaching its end, as he hinted on Friday night that a departure could be on the horizon after the Warriors fell 111‑96 to the Phoenix Suns in the play‑in tournament. The Suns secured the final Western Conference berth and will now face top‑seeded Oklahoma City in the opening round.
In the losing effort, 38‑year‑old Stephen Curry managed only 17 points, underscoring a campaign that fell far short of the lofty expectations set by the franchise’s recent dynastic run. After the final buzzer, Kerr embraced Curry and Draymond Green—two pillars of the Warriors’ championship core—while apparently mouthing a quiet "thank you" that he chose not to disclose.
When asked about the exchange, Kerr simply smiled and replied, "None of your business." Both Curry and Green have been vocal about their desire to keep Kerr at the helm. Curry told reporters, "I want the coach to be happy, I want him to be excited about the job.
He knows how I feel about him; that shouldn't even need to be said." Green echoed the sentiment, admitting, "I just don't deal with change well, I don't love it. So I don’t want to think about that. I hope that's not the case but we'll see what happens." At 60, Kerr is concluding his 12th season in Golden State colors. His record stands at 604 wins against 353 losses, and he guided the team to the NBA Finals in each of his first five years, adding another appearance later in his tenure.
Beyond the NBA, Kerr also led USA Basketball to an Olympic gold medal at the Paris 2024 Games, further cementing his reputation as one of the sport’s most successful coaches. Kerr confirmed that he will soon sit down with Warriors owner Joe Lacob and general manager Mike Dunleavy to discuss the next steps for both himself and the organization. He suggested that those conversations could take place within the next week or two.
"We'll talk about what's next for the Warriors, what the plan is this offseason," he said. "And we will come to a collaborative decision on what's next. I don't know what's going to happen." While expressing continued love for coaching, Kerr acknowledged the reality that every tenure has an expiration date. "There’s a run that happens, and when the run ends, sometimes it’s time for new blood and new ideas," he reflected.
Should the organization decide to move in a different direction, he promised to remain grateful for the extraordinary opportunity to coach in the Bay Area, work with stars like Curry and Green, and lead a franchise with such a passionate fan base. In other NBA news, the Orlando Magic advanced to the playoffs by defeating the Charlotte Hornets 121‑90 in the play‑in tournament, with Paolo Banchero contributing 25 points, five rebounds, and six assists.
Franz Wagner added 18 points and a solid all‑around performance. The Magic’s victory secured the eighth seed in the Eastern Conference.
For the Hornets, LaMelo Ball’s 23 points and five assists were not enough to break a ten‑year playoff drought. The 2026 NBA playoffs are set to kick off on Sky Sports this Sunday, April 19, featuring four live games on Sky Sports Action beginning at 6 p.m. British Summer Time.
The schedule is as follows: - 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 indicated 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 postseason on Sky Sports, either through a traditional subscription or via the contract‑free streaming option on NOW. The league’s drama continues to unfold, and all eyes will be on whether the Warriors decide to retain the architect of their recent success or embark on a new chapter with fresh leadership.