BREAKING: “Such mistakes are unacceptable at this level” – Steve Kerr ‘Very Upset’ With Two Warriors Stars After Game 6 Loss to Rockets
In the aftermath of a disappointing 107-115 loss to the Houston Rockets in Game 6 of the Western Conference Semifinals, Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr didn’t hold back in expressing his frustration — particularly with star players Stephen Curry and Jimmy Butler.
“This is the playoffs. Such mistakes are unacceptable at this level,” Kerr said in a tense postgame press conference. “We didn’t play like a team that wanted to win tonight. The Rockets did. They came out hungrier, more physical, and with more urgency — and that has to fall on our leaders.”
The Warriors, who trailed most of the night and struggled to find offensive rhythm in key stretches, now find themselves eliminated from the playoffs in a season that once promised much more. For a franchise that has seen so much postseason success in the past decade, falling short in the second round is a bitter pill — and Kerr’s comments made it clear where he believes the blame lies.
Sources close to the team confirmed that Kerr was particularly upset with the passive play of Stephen Curry and Jimmy Butler, who combined for just 24 shot attempts on the night. Curry finished with 18 points on 6-of-13 shooting, while Butler had 15 points, hitting 5 of 11 from the field. Neither attempted a single free throw in the fourth quarter, a sign, Kerr suggested, of their lack of aggression.
“These guys have to understand what’s at stake. You don’t get many chances at this level,” Kerr continued. “You’ve got to want it more than the guy in front of you. I didn’t see that fire from Steph or Jimmy tonight. That’s not the standard we’ve built here.”
The Rockets, meanwhile, were led by Jalen Green and Fred VanVleet, both of whom played with visible intensity and a do-or-die mentality. Green exploded for 33 points and hit several crucial baskets down the stretch, while VanVleet controlled the tempo and contributed 21 points and 9 assists.
Houston’s win marks a major step forward for a team that had spent the past few seasons rebuilding. For the Warriors, though, it’s a step back — and the questions heading into the offseason are now bigger than ever.
Much of the blame will naturally fall on Kerr and the players, but the broader context also matters. The team has struggled with consistency all season, particularly with integrating new pieces like Butler, who joined the team in a high-profile midseason trade. Chemistry has been an issue, and despite flashes of brilliance, the Warriors never quite found the formula that made them title contenders in years past.
Still, Kerr was adamant that stars have to show up when it matters most.
“We can talk about schemes, we can talk about rotations, but at the end of the day, your best players have to lead the charge. This isn’t about missing shots — it’s about effort. It’s about mentality,” Kerr said.
When asked if he had spoken directly to Curry and Butler after the game, Kerr declined to elaborate but hinted that there would be “some hard conversations” in the coming days.
Both Curry and Butler left the locker room without speaking to the media.
As the Warriors enter the offseason earlier than expected, all eyes will now turn to whether this core group — long considered among the most competitive in the league — can regroup, re-energize, and rediscover the drive that once made them nearly unstoppable.
For now, though, the sting of Game 6 — and their coach’s pointed criticism — is likely to linger.
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