NBA WESTERN CONFERENCE FIRST ROUND: ROCKETS VS WARRIORS

May 2, 2025

Steve Kerr

Golden State Warriors

Game 6 - Postgame Media Conference

Rockets 115 - Warriors 107

Q. You felt good going into this game. Did you think it was an energy level situation? Loss of confidence?

STEVE KERR: I didn't like our first half with the turnovers. I think we had 10. That's the key to the whole series, is our ball security. The 10 turnovers in the first half got us off to a rough start.

With that said, we're down two going into the fourth. I thought the key play was the four-point play to start the quarter. That's on us as a staff. We've got to make sure they're matched up.

They just threw it, we didn't guard Van Vleet when he threw it up the floor, knocks it down, gets the free throw. Felt like a game-changing play because, like I said, it's a two-point game, where right where we need to be despite having not played well and turning it over quite a bit.

Q. Do you see a commonality with the turnovers, such a big issue? Something that's similar between them?

STEVE KERR: The three wins in the series we were averaging 10 or 11 turnovers. We're in a rush. We got to slow down a little bit.

Q. There was the four-point play, but you missed 14 of 15 shots in the fourth quarter. What happened offensively?

STEVE KERR: They were in a zone. They played Adams quite a bit. He's at the center of that zone, kind of a 2-1-2. I thought we got some good looks against the zone. But then once they pulled away by 10 or 12, it was easier for them to run us off the line.

We had a lot of openings, but they were using their length to run us off the three-point line knowing we had to make threes to get back in it. I thought they did a good job of kind of running us off the line and keeping us from knocking down threes to get us back in the game.

Q. Seems your issues are not being able to solve this zone. From some of your answers it sounds like you feel okay about what you're getting against it. Do you go to Game 7 believing? How much change do you think is needed against the zone or not?

STEVE KERR: How much change?

Q. How you're attacking it, personnel, whatever.

STEVE KERR: Playing zone offense is really about getting the ball to open space, then filling behind the play, moving the ball.

Like I said, we've had a lot of good zone possessions in this series. I thought we had some tonight. But I think we'll do a better job in Game 7. We've got another tape to watch. We'll see some things.

It's definitely been a factor. Adams was fantastic tonight. 31 minutes. Probably the most he's played in a couple years. But he was so effective that Ime kept him out there. They controlled the game while he was out there.

We fouled him. They got a couple rebounds after his missed free throws, too. That wasn't very effective ultimately.

We got some things that we can clean up. We got Game 7, though, and we're excited about that.

Q. Do you think fatigue played a role?

STEVE KERR: No, I don't think fatigue was a factor.

Q. Game 7, everything is on the table.

STEVE KERR: Everything is on the table for Game 7, for sure.

Q. It would be a lot to ask, is Jon Kuminga on the table to play?

STEVE KERR: 100% he's on the table. You know this. We've kind of found a formula here latter part of the season. We've stayed with that formula to start the series. Up 3-1, things are going well. Then obviously last two games have gone very poorly. We have to assess everything. Lineup combinations, starters, all of that we have to assess.

We feel like we got a great chance to go down there and win Game 7.

Q. As the Rockets kept answering your comebacks, it looked like guys were starting to show signs of frustration. Is that an issue for you right now, trying to stay together?

STEVE KERR: Staying together will not be an issue. This team has been connected and has been through everything. There's no question the frustration tonight set in. I could see it. The body language. We can't have that. We can't afford that in Game 7.

We've got to stay tight whole way through. Like I said, I like our chances. I've seen what this group can do over the years. We've been in a lot of Game 7s, I believe, had a lot of success.

Jimmy Butler is Jimmy Butler. He's been in all of these games. He's one of the clutch performers in the league, so... We'll get ready. We'll regroup, be ready to roll.

Q. VanVleet has been super hot past few games. What have you seen defensively against him? What could you change?

STEVE KERR: We started Gary because of Fred. The last two games, he was 12 of 18 for three. Tonight got hot again. 6 for 9. Tonight it felt like offensive boards and kick-outs. I thought we handled the pick and roll much better than last game. Didn't feel like he was getting his threes on pick and roll action. It was more second-chance opportunities. They got some offensive boards, kicked it out. Had 19 points off second chance. I think he had had a couple threes off of those.

Q. Played five Game 7s in the Steph era, four of them with you. Anything from those games that you can use as lessons? Quick turnaround after two disappointing losses. What is the challenge mentally recharging in 48 hours when your season is on the line?

STEVE KERR: That's the goal. That's the key, right? Starts right now. Players getting hydrated, getting their rest tonight. Coaches figuring out what our adjustments will be. We'll get on the plane tomorrow and we'll be ready to go.

I can tell you our guys are going to be excited. As I said, I have every confidence that they can get this done.

Q. Can you describe how the vibe is different in Game 7s?

STEVE KERR: It just feels slower. Most Game 7s are kind of rock fights. There's a different vibe. There's a nervous vibe with the home crowd. There's just a sense of, All right, we're finally here. It's been two weeks. Both teams throwing haymakers at each other, all that.

It's why people love watching them at home. Game 7s are special. They're fun to be a part of.

Q. Quinten had five fouls. They were going at him a little bit. How difficult are you seeing this series become for him?

STEVE KERR: Yeah, I thought he handled himself pretty well defensively in the first half. Second half he got the two fouls, I think late third, early fourth, where he came over to help. He was a half step late and he got the blocking calls.

We'll watch the tape and we'll try to help him out on that.

But Quinten has been great for us the second half of the season. Very important player for us. I won't hesitate to put him out there in Game 7 if I think that's the right call.

Q. You told us why you went to Gary to control Fred. Offensively with Gary and Draymond being out there together, spacing issues, how do you think that unit looked?

STEVE KERR: That's the equation for us. We have to make these decisions. Every coach has to make decisions based on offense, defense.

Gary has shot it really well. I think coming into tonight, he was 45% from three. He's been making the corner three in this series. So we felt like the gamble was worth it to put him on Fred. We knew taking Brandin out would hurt us a little bit in terms of flow and play making. That was the gamble we took.

I don't think it hurt us too badly. But Fred got going anyway. So in the end we have to reassess that one and other decisions, as well.

Q. Draymond and Steph have played in five of these games. Jimmy has four.

STEVE KERR: Game 7s?

Q. Yes. They have four guys that played a combined total of 10 Game 7s. Where does Game 7 Playoff experience factor most?

STEVE KERR: You mean what aspect of the game?

Q. Having been through those when you have that type of experience.

STEVE KERR: Just confidence, belief. I know our guys believe and they'll be ready to go.

Thank you.