Steve Kerr, the veteran coach who has guided the Golden State Warriors to four NBA championships, is now weighing his options as the franchise’s season came to an abrupt end on Friday night. The Warriors’ hopes of extending their postseason run were dashed in a 111-96 defeat to the Phoenix Suns in the Western Conference play-in game, a loss that handed the Suns the final playoff berth and set them up against the top‑seeded Oklahoma City Thunder. In that final contest, Stephen Curry, now 38, managed only 17 points, a modest tally that underscored the overall disappointment of a campaign that fell far short of the lofty expectations set by the team’s recent history.
After the game, Kerr addressed the media with a cryptic statement that left fans and analysts speculating about his next move: “It might still go on. It may not.” The coach then shared an emotional embrace with Curry and Draymond Green—two players who have been the backbone of the Warriors’ title runs under Kerr’s leadership.
Observers noted that Kerr appeared to mouth a heartfelt “thank you” during the hug, though he declined to confirm what he said, quipping, “None of your business,” with a smile. Both Curry and Green have been vocal about their desire to keep Kerr at the helm. Curry emphasized that the coach’s happiness and enthusiasm are crucial, adding that the respect between them is so deep it “doesn’t even need to be said.” Green echoed this sentiment, admitting that he struggles with change and hopes the situation remains unchanged, even though he acknowledges the uncertainty of the future.
At 60 years old, Kerr has completed his 12th season with Golden State, compiling a remarkable 604‑353 record. He led the Warriors to the NBA Finals in each of his first five years—a streak that included three consecutive championships—and added another Finals appearance later in his tenure. Beyond the NBA, Kerr also coached the United States men’s basketball team to an Olympic gold medal at the Paris 2024 Games, further cementing his legacy 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 organization’s direction and his own role.
He suggested that these conversations could take place within the next 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.” While he expressed continued love for coaching, Kerr also recognized that “these jobs all have an expiration date” and that sometimes a franchise benefits from fresh ideas and new blood after a successful run. If the decision ultimately leads to a parting of ways, Kerr promised to remain grateful for the unparalleled opportunity he’s had to coach in the Bay Area, work with stars like Curry and Green, and lead a franchise with such a passionate fan base. He said, “I’ll be nothing but grateful for the most amazing opportunity any person could have to coach this franchise, in front of our fans in the Bay and to coach Steph Curry, to coach Dray and the whole group.” The article also briefly shifted focus to other NBA play‑in action.
Paolo Banchero poured in 25 points as the Orlando Magic dispatched the Charlotte Hornets 121‑90, securing the eighth seed in the playoffs. Banchero contributed five rebounds and six assists, while Franz Wagner added 18 points and a solid shooting line.
For the Hornets, LaMelo Ball led with 23 points and five assists, but it wasn’t enough to break a decade‑long playoff drought. Looking ahead, the 2026 NBA playoffs are set to kick off on Sky Sports this Sunday, April 19, with four live games 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) The network will also broadcast all Western Conference Finals from May 20 onward. The matchups for those series 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 action live on Sky Sports or stream without a contract via the NOW platform. The ongoing speculation surrounding Kerr’s future adds an extra layer of intrigue to what promises to be an exciting postseason, as the Warriors and their supporters await the outcome of the upcoming meetings that will shape the next chapter of the franchise’s storied legacy.