After an intense Game 1 against the Houston Rockets, the Golden State Warriors left the court with a 95-85 win and a whole lot of confidence. But it wasn’t just the players who caught attention — head coach Steve Kerr had a moment of pure honesty and probably a bit of sarcasm in his postgame press conference that had fans cracking up.
Steve Kerr Gives Witty Response After Warriors Win
When a reporter asked whether Kerr had prepped his team for Houston’s physicality, the coach didn’t miss a beat.
“No, I didn’t mention it at all. I totally forgot to tell the team that Houston is really physical and great on the glass,” Kerr said with a smile. “Thanks for the reminder and I’m gonna mention it before Game 2.”
Steve Kerr: "I totally forgot to tell the team that Houston is really physical and great on the glass. Thanks for the reminder and I'm gonna mention it before game 2" pic.twitter.com/FMlEofR44z
— Oh No He Didn't (@ohnohedidnt24) April 21, 2025
Whether it was a cheeky jab or a light-hearted deflection, Kerr’s comment made it clear that he trusts his team to adapt. After all, preparing for a scrappy team like Houston is coaching 101, so it’s safe to say Kerr didn’t actually forget.
The Warriors’ gritty Game 1 effort showed they were more than ready for the Rockets’ physical play, especially down the stretch when they tightened up defensively.
Meanwhile, Stephen Curry looked every bit like the MVP-caliber leader the Warriors needed. In a high-stakes playoff opener, Curry was smooth, sharp, and precise. Logging 40 minutes, he dropped 31 points, grabbed six rebounds, and handed out three assists.
What made it even more impressive? He shot an insane 63.2% from the floor and hit 55.6% from 3.
Curry also gave fans a classic highlight moment. Midway through the third quarter, with the clock winding down and Jalen Green crowding him, Curry casually launched a deep and impossible-looking fadeaway 3. It was a backbreaker for Houston and a signature Curry shot.
Kerr Emphasizes ‘Clean Basketball’ as Key To Beating Houston
The Rockets, to their credit, didn’t go quietly. They clawed back from a 23-point hole and cut the lead to single digits late. But just when it seemed the Warriors might slip, their defense locked in. Golden State forced five turnovers in the final minutes, effectively icing the game and reminding everyone why playoff experience matters.
Coach Kerr didn’t shy away from pointing out the key to keeping momentum in the series.
“We need to be clean with our execution and transition. We don’t need to dribble through traffic, we don’t need to throw lob passes to try to get a dunk,” he said. In other words, keep it simple and smart.
The Rockets clearly tried to put Curry on the defensive hot seat, targeting him with matchups. It’s a strategy plenty of teams have tried before, but with the Warriors rotating well and Curry holding his own, the plan didn’t quite pan out.
In addition to Curry, Jimmy Butler also helped Golden State to victory with 25 points, six assists, and seven rebounds. Needless to say, the Warriors appear to be locked in, and their entire roster seems fully committed to steering Golden State to a championship title.