It feels like the end of an era for the Golden State Warriors. A 111-96 Play-In loss to the Phoenix Suns on Friday ended their 2025-26 campaign, and with it, lit up the NBA world with speculation.
In the final moments of the game, Steve Kerr pulled Stephen Curry and Draymond Green into an emotional embrace.
It looked, to many, like a goodbye.
Steve Kerr, Stephen Curry, Draymond Green Share Special Moment
The Warriors’ season ended in Phoenix. Kerr is currently without a contract for next season. Green has a $27.7 million player option sitting unresolved. Curry, already 38, is managing a persistent knee issue, which is the “new normal” for him.
PFSN’s Deputy Editor Alex Kennedy shared Kerr’s words from before the Warriors-Clippers game: “This is an opportunity we might not ever get again,” Kerr said. “We don’t know. We’re all at that stage where we have to be conscious of the finality that is possible.”
Steve Kerr just shared a moment with Stephen Curry and Draymond Green.
“This is an opportunity we might not ever get again,” Kerr said on Wednesday. “We don’t know. We’re all at that stage where we have to be conscious of the finality that is possible.” pic.twitter.com/42e0okkZin
— Alex Kennedy (@AlexKennedyNBA) April 18, 2026
NBA writer Earl K. Sneed wrote: “Is this the end of the Warriors as we’ve known them?”
With 1:04 left on the clock, Green and Devin Booker were ejected in the Warriors’ loss. Bleacher Report’s Molly Morrison made sure to highlight the moment and remark: “If it was the end, at least draymond died doing what he loved (causing a scene and getting ejected).”
if it was the end, at least draymond died doing what he loved (causing a scene and getting ejected) https://t.co/Hm8MbOxa0u
— Molly Morrison (@mollyhannahm) April 18, 2026
SiriusXM NBA’s Rob Perez kept it plain: “Steph and Draymond embrace Steve Kerr, who is in the final season of his contract.”
Steph and Draymond embrace Steve Kerr, who is in the final season of his contract. pic.twitter.com/ZZTUbRW1Di
— Rob Perez (@WorldWideWob) April 18, 2026
Meanwhile, The Athletic’s Esfandiar Baraheni posted: “That looked like Steve Kerr was saying goodbye to Steph and Draymond. What a run.”
Then, he went on to add: “Yeah Steve is definitely done, don’t think Dray and Steph are tho.”
Yeah Steve is definitely done, don’t think Dray and Steph are tho https://t.co/M437wkpL6C
— Esfandiar Baraheni (@JustEsBaraheni) April 18, 2026
One influencer zoomed all the way out: “If this really is the end of the Warriors as we know them… 8 playoff appearances, 6 Finals appearances, 4 NBA championships since 2014-15).”
If this really is the end of the Warriors as we know them… pic.twitter.com/qDDB6KYz6i
— Oh No He Didn’t (@ohnohedidnt24) April 18, 2026
Kerr just finished his 12th NBA season as a head coach, and he has four titles and six NBA Finals trips. Prior to becoming a head coach, Kerr had a legendary playing career that saw him win five NBA championships with the Chicago Bulls.
After the loss, he explained the next steps as he weighs his options.
“The plan is to take a little time,” Kerr said. “Take a week or two and talk with Joe [Lacob] and Mike [Dunleavy Jr.], and just see where they are, and I’ll tell them where I am and talk about what’s next for the Warriors, and we will come to a collaborative decision on what’s next… I still love coaching, but these jobs have an expiration date.”
Kerr did make it clear that coaching elsewhere is out of the equation. It’s either returning to the Warriors or retirement for the legendary coach.
After the loss, Kerr took a moment to reflect on his legendary career, adding fuel to the fire that he’s seriously considering this could be the end.
“I’m the luckiest guy in the NBA’s history,” Kerr said. “I’ve played with [Michael] Jordan and [Scottie] Pippen and [Tim] Duncan and David Robinson. I played for Phil Jackson, Pop (Gregg Popovich), Lenny Wilkens, and Lute Olson.
“And then to come here and inherit this team and coach Steph Curry, who is undoubtedly the greatest face of a franchise that I’ve seen in any sport. He just lets me coach him and he wants to be coached, and he’s just an incredible partner and collaborator. So, the only thing I’ve learned is that I’m really blessed.”
When asked after the game what he told Curry and Green in that huddle, Kerr smiled. “None of your business.”
However, Curry revealed the message that their head coach delivered: “I don’t know what’s going to happen next, but I love you guys to death. Thank you.”
