Steve Kerr Thanks NBA Commissioner Adam Silver After Warriors' Win Over Clippers

For Steve Kerr, perspective often matters just as much as performance. And after a close win against the Clippers, the Warriors head coach chose to reflect not just on the game, but on the system that made it possible.

After a turbulent season filled with injuries, Golden State is now one win away from the NBA playoffs. Kerr's men defeated the Clippers 126–121 in Los Angeles. As the No. 10 seed, the Warriors coach expressed his gratitude for the league's unique format.

"Look, we finished 10th. You know, we're lucky to even be here," Kerr said in the post-game press conference. "If this were seven or eight years ago, we'd be on vacation already." He then thanked the NBA and its commissioner, Adam Silver. "So I want to thank the league for creating the play-in tournament. Thank you, Adam."

The Warriors' regular season would have traditionally ended after a 37–45 record. Instead, the NBA's play-in tournament, which was introduced in 2020 inside the Orlando bubble and made permanent in 2022, has extended the postseason race to teams ranked 7th through 10th in each conference.

Following their win against the Clippers, the Warriors now prepare to face the Suns. Steph Curry, who scored 35 points in Los Angeles, will be expected to replicate his performance in Phoenix. A win against the Suns would then set up a matchup between the Warriors and the defending champions, the Thunder.

With Kerr's future in Golden State uncertain, the coach has been showing gratitude for each step this season. His comments, while lighthearted, showcase how the play-in tournament has fundamentally changed late-season stakes.

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This story was originally published April 16, 2026 at 8:58 AM.