Breaking: Steve Kerr Fines Two Warriors Stars After “Ugly Dressing Room Incident” Following 107-115 Game 6 Loss To The Rockets
Tensions boiled over inside the Golden State Warriors’ locker room on Thursday night after a crushing 107-115 loss to the Houston Rockets in Game 6 of the Western Conference Semifinals. The defeat allowed Houston to tie the series 3-3 and force a decisive Game 7, but the bigger story unfolded after the final buzzer — behind closed doors.
Multiple sources confirm that head coach Steve Kerr has issued undisclosed fines to veteran stars Jimmy Butler and Buddy Hield following what team insiders are describing as an “ugly dressing room incident”. The altercation reportedly began when Hield angrily confronted Butler in the locker room, accusing him of being too passive on offense during the loss.
“He told Jimmy, ‘You’re the reason we lost. You didn’t shoot. You didn’t step up,’” said one source familiar with the scene. “It escalated from there. Teammates had to get between them before it turned physical.”
While exact details remain murky, it’s believed the confrontation began just minutes after the team returned to the locker room. Several players — including Draymond Green and Stephen Curry — stepped in to diffuse the situation as voices were raised and tempers flared.
Butler, known for his fiery leadership and postseason pedigree, finished Game 6 with just 11 points on 4-of-9 shooting. Though he added 8 assists and 6 rebounds, his lack of aggression in the fourth quarter — where he attempted only one shot — left some questioning his mindset in a must-win scenario.
Hield, who scored 22 points on 6-of-13 from beyond the arc, reportedly felt that Butler’s reluctance to take over late in the game cost the Warriors the chance to close out the series.
Head coach Steve Kerr addressed the incident in a closed-door team meeting early Friday morning, according to team sources. Later in the day, he confirmed disciplinary action had been taken.
“We hold ourselves to a high standard — on the court and off,” Kerr told reporters. “What happened last night was unacceptable. Emotions run high in the playoffs, but we have to handle them like professionals. We’ve addressed it internally, and we’re moving forward. Our focus is on Game 7.”
Kerr did not go into specifics regarding the fines, but emphasized that both players have spoken and that the team remains united heading into the final game of the series.
Sources within the organization say the situation is “under control,” and that both Butler and Hield have since met privately to clear the air.
“They’re both competitors. They want to win. It was a heat-of-the-moment thing,” said one team staffer. “This won’t break the team — if anything, it might fire them up for Game 7.”
Game 6 was a missed opportunity for the Warriors, who led by as many as 13 in the second quarter before unraveling late in the third. Jalen Green and Alperen Şengün led a furious Houston rally, combining for 55 points and outpacing Golden State’s offense down the stretch.
Now the Warriors must travel back to Houston for a do-or-die Game 7, with their championship hopes — and team chemistry — hanging in the balance.
“It’s not ideal,” admitted Stephen Curry, who finished with 27 points in the loss. “But every team faces adversity. What matters is how you respond.”
As for Butler, he kept his comments brief but pointed after the incident:
“We’re good. I’ve been through worse. I just want to win — and I’m going to show that in Game 7.”
With the stakes at their highest and emotions still simmering, all eyes will be on the Warriors as they attempt to bounce back — not just from a loss, but from a moment that could define their season.
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