Warriors’ Steve Kerr gives honest admission on Warriors’ Christmas loss vs. Lakers

Warriors’ Steve Kerr Gives Honest Admission on Warriors’ Christmas Loss vs. Lakers

Christmas Day games in the NBA are often a marquee event, attracting millions of viewers who tune in to watch the league’s best teams battle it out in high-stakes matchups. For the Golden State Warriors, Christmas 2024 was no different: a showdown with their Western Conference rivals, the Los Angeles Lakers. However, what was supposed to be a festive and triumphant occasion for the Warriors turned into a humbling defeat, leaving head coach Steve Kerr with plenty to reflect on in his postgame remarks. The Lakers, led by LeBron James and Anthony Davis, exposed several flaws in Golden State’s game, resulting in a 119-103 loss that raised more questions than answers for the Warriors.

Kerr, known for his candidness and thoughtful insights, did not shy away from offering a brutally honest assessment of his team’s performance. In his postgame interview, Kerr addressed everything from defensive lapses to offensive struggles, acknowledging the Lakers’ superior play while also pinpointing areas where the Warriors needed to improve. His comments, though revealing, highlighted just how much work lies ahead for Golden State if they hope to regain their championship form.

The High Stakes of Christmas Day

Christmas Day games are among the most anticipated of the NBA season. These games often feature marquee matchups between the league’s best teams, and for the Warriors, this game against the Lakers was no exception. After a strong start to the season, Golden State entered the game with high hopes of solidifying their place as one of the top contenders in the West. Meanwhile, the Lakers, despite being led by a seasoned LeBron James and a dominant Anthony Davis, had been struggling with consistency and injuries. For Golden State, a victory on Christmas Day would not only give them a crucial win but would also send a message that they were still among the league’s elite.

However, the game did not unfold as expected. The Warriors came out flat, allowing the Lakers to control the tempo from the beginning. Los Angeles’ defense stifled Golden State’s signature fast-paced offense, while LeBron James and Davis continued to dominate on both ends of the floor. The Warriors’ defense, which has been a consistent issue throughout the season, was once again exposed. Their inability to contain the Lakers’ size and physicality, particularly in the paint, contributed to the loss. For the Warriors, who have historically prided themselves on a strong defense, this was a troubling sign.

Kerr’s Candid Reflections on the Loss

In his postgame interview, Steve Kerr was unusually frank about his team’s performance. Known for being a balanced coach who rarely singles out individual players, Kerr was straightforward in his analysis, acknowledging the Lakers’ superior performance while also taking responsibility for the team’s shortcomings.

“Give credit to the Lakers,” Kerr began. “They played well tonight. They made shots, they were tough, and they imposed their will on us. I think we were a step slow, both offensively and defensively. We got away from our principles, and it showed in the result.”

Kerr’s admission that the Warriors “got away from their principles” was particularly striking. Golden State has long been defined by its commitment to team basketball, an unselfish style of play predicated on ball movement, off-ball screens, and spacing. However, in the loss to the Lakers, the Warriors seemed to abandon that style at times, falling into isolation basketball and relying too heavily on individual play. While this may have been an effort to counter the Lakers’ physicality, it ultimately played into Los Angeles’ hands.

Kerr continued to discuss the Warriors’ struggles on both sides of the ball. On offense, he noted that Golden State had failed to execute their usual fluid passing game, which disrupted their shooting rhythm. “We missed a lot of open looks, and we didn’t make the extra pass when we needed to,” Kerr explained. “Our offense stagnated at times, and when that happens, it puts extra pressure on our defense.”

Kerr’s honesty about the Warriors’ offensive struggles was revealing. The team’s reliance on three-point shooting and fast-paced transitions often gives them an advantage, but when those shots aren’t falling, they are forced into situations where they rely more heavily on individual talent. This was evident in the game against the Lakers, where the Warriors struggled to establish an offensive flow and began to force shots instead of working the ball around.

Defensive Failures and Missed Opportunities

The Warriors’ defense, which had been a weak spot for much of the season, was once again exposed in the loss to the Lakers. Golden State’s inability to contain the Lakers’ inside game was glaring. LeBron James and Anthony Davis were able to penetrate the Warriors’ defense with relative ease, scoring in the paint and drawing fouls. Davis, in particular, was a dominant force, finishing with 31 points and grabbing 15 rebounds. LeBron, although not as statistically dominant, was just as effective, providing key assists and controlling the game’s tempo.

Kerr acknowledged that the Warriors’ defense was a significant problem in this game. “We just didn’t get enough stops when we needed to,” Kerr said. “We know the Lakers are a team that wants to attack the paint, and we didn’t do a good job of protecting the rim. It’s something we’ve been working on, but we didn’t execute tonight.”

One of the primary issues for the Warriors defensively has been their lack of a dominant shot blocker or rim protector. While Draymond Green is an elite defender, particularly in terms of his basketball IQ and versatility, the Warriors have been lacking someone who can consistently alter or block shots at the rim. This deficiency has been particularly evident when playing against teams like the Lakers, who can pound the ball inside and get easy buckets in the paint.

Kerr also pointed out that the Warriors’ transition defense had been another area of concern. “The Lakers did a great job of pushing the ball and getting easy buckets in transition,” Kerr said. “We need to do a better job of getting back and preventing those fast-break opportunities.”

In a game where the Warriors’ offense was struggling, defensive breakdowns made matters worse. Fast-break points for the Lakers, combined with second-chance opportunities from offensive rebounds, allowed Los Angeles to extend their lead and take control of the game.

The Warriors’ Offensive Struggles

While defense was clearly a problem, Golden State’s offensive struggles were just as prominent. The Warriors shot just 43% from the field and a disappointing 30% from three-point range—far below their usual standards. Curry, typically a prolific scorer, was largely ineffective for much of the game. He finished with 24 points, but the majority of those came in bursts, with extended stretches of silence in between. Klay Thompson, who has battled inconsistency this season, was also struggling, finishing with just 12 points on 4-of-11 shooting. The Warriors were unable to generate the same kind of ball movement and open looks that usually define their offense.

In his interview, Kerr addressed the struggles of his two superstar shooters, Curry and Thompson. “Steph and Klay didn’t have their best games tonight, but it wasn’t just them. We didn’t get enough ball movement, and we didn’t generate the kind of looks we’re used to seeing. When you rely on isolation too much, you take yourself out of your rhythm.”

The Warriors’ offense is most effective when it flows smoothly, with Curry and Thompson moving off the ball and taking advantage of screens to create open shots. However, when the Lakers’ defense stifled the Warriors’ ball movement, Golden State struggled to find good shots. This forced the Warriors to rely on isolation basketball, which is not their strength, especially when Curry and Thompson are not firing on all cylinders.

Kerr’s Call for Improvement

Despite the loss, Kerr remained optimistic about his team’s ability to improve. He acknowledged that while the Warriors had significant flaws in their game, the season was still young, and they had time to make adjustments.

“We’ve got to be better,” Kerr said, his tone serious. “We know what it takes to win in this league, and we’ve been champions for a reason. We’ve got to get back to our core principles—moving the ball, playing defense, and trusting each other. The Lakers are a tough team, but we’ve got the talent and the experience to bounce back.”

Kerr’s words reflected his unwavering belief in the Warriors’ ability to right the ship. While the loss to the Lakers was a tough pill to swallow, it also served as a wake-up call for a team that has struggled with consistency. The Warriors have always been a team that thrives on their offense and ball movement, but as the Lakers demonstrated, they must also be able to execute defensively and make adjustments when their shots aren’t falling.