The Golden State Warriors’ 2025-2026 NBA season came to a disappointing end on Friday night, as they fell to the Phoenix Suns in the final play-in game, missing the playoffs for the fourth time in the last seven seasons. The 37-45 regular-season record — which earned them the No. 10 seed in the Western Conference — reflected a campaign filled with promise but ultimately undone by injuries, including a season-ending one to Jimmy Butler.
As the final seconds ticked away in Phoenix, a poignant moment unfolded on the sidelines. Steph Curry, Draymond Green, and head coach Steve Kerr shared an embrace, a quiet acknowledgment of what has been one of the most successful partnerships in modern NBA history. For Kerr, now in the final year of his contract, the future in Golden State suddenly feels uncertain.
In his postgame comments, Curry delivered a statement that carried both deep affection and an eerie undertone of finality. While expressing his desire for Kerr to return, the Warriors’ superstar emphasized happiness and alignment above all.
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“I want coach to be happy. I want him to be excited about the job,” Curry said. “I want him to believe he’s the right guy for the job. However it goes, you’re thankful for what we’ve been able to accomplish over this run… I just want coach to be able to look at the situation as a whole.”
Curry made it clear that his support for Kerr is unwavering. “He knows how I feel about him. That shouldn’t even need to be said,” he added, signaling that he wants the longtime coach back with the team he helped build into a dynasty.
Kerr, for his part, was the first to acknowledge the reality facing most NBA coaches. Speaking after the loss, he reflected candidly on the nature of the profession.
“I don’t know what’s going to happen,” Kerr said. “I still love coaching, but I get it. These jobs all have an expiration date. There is a run that happens, and when the run ends, sometimes it’s time for new blood and new ideas.”
Yet Kerr also made it plain that he has no interest in walking away from the franchise’s face.
“I don’t want to walk away from Steph,” he stated. “I’m definitely not going and coaching somewhere else next year in the NBA. I would never walk away from Steph. But all this stuff has to be aligned and right.”
The emotional weight of the moment stems from more than a decade of shared success. Kerr took over as head coach in 2015 and immediately led a Curry-led Warriors team to the NBA title in his rookie season. The addition of Kevin Durant fueled back-to-back championships in 2017 and 2018. After a brief hiatus, the core — anchored by Curry, Klay Thompson, and Green — recaptured magic in 2022, winning a fourth title with contributions from Andrew Wiggins and Jordan Poole.
Kerr’s offensive system, built on off-ball movement and elite three-point shooting, didn’t just bring titles to Golden State; it helped spark a league-wide revolution in pace-and-space basketball.
Now, with the dynastic era showing clear signs of transition, all eyes turn to Warriors general manager Mike Dunleavy and owner Joe Lacob. Discussions about Kerr’s future are expected soon. While Kerr’s contract has reached its end, the organization has publicly signaled openness to bringing him back, even if only for another season. Curry and Green have both voiced strong support, underscoring the desire to maintain continuity with the player who remains the heart of the franchise.
Still, Kerr’s own words about “expiration dates” and the need for fresh perspectives have injected a layer of uncertainty into the situation. If this does mark the end of his tenure in Golden State, he will depart as one of the most accomplished coaches in franchise history — the architect of six NBA Finals appearances and four championships.
For now, the Warriors stand at a crossroads. A promising start to the 2025-2026 season was derailed by injuries, leaving the front office to weigh whether to push forward with the familiar leadership that delivered glory or seek new ideas to revitalize the roster around an aging but still transcendent Steph Curry.
Curry’s measured yet heartfelt comments serve as both a tribute to the past and a subtle signal about the stakes ahead. In the high-stakes world of NBA coaching, even legendary runs eventually reach a turning point. Whether Steve Kerr’s chapter in Golden State continues or concludes, the gratitude for what he and Curry built together remains undeniable.