Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr praised his team’s effort despite a 131-122 loss to the Phoenix Suns on Saturday, while stressing that execution and decision-making must improve as the short-handed team continues to develop.
“Whoever’s out there, I expect the effort and the spirit and the energy that I saw tonight,” Kerr said. “Those guys were great. Competed, but what I take from it is continuing to hammer home the importance of execution.”
Golden State fell to 0-3 after playing its third game in four days without Stephen Curry, Draymond Green, Brandin Podziemski and Al Horford. Kerr pointed to missed assignments on out-of-bounds plays and lost possessions as examples of details the Warriors need to address.
“It can be monotonous, but it’s really important if you want to be a good team,” Kerr said of repeatedly making the right cuts and getting into the correct positions.
The Warriors allowed 131 points as Devin Booker scored 43 for Phoenix, but Kerr also highlighted the impact of turnovers. Golden State gave up 26 points off turnovers, creating transition opportunities that made defending the Suns more difficult.
“Our turnovers hurt our defense tonight,” Kerr said. “We have to win the game in the margins. We have to make better decisions in transition, getting into our sets, just being more solid will help.”
Kerr also discussed rookie Yaxel Lendeborg, who led Golden State with 26 points, nine rebounds and five assists while making six three-pointers. The coach praised his confidence and versatility but identified defensive awareness and shot selection as areas for improvement.
“He’s fearless and he’s huge and he’s got a great skill set. He can dribble, pass and shoot,” Kerr said. “The defensive side is where I want to see the most improvement, though. His weak-side awareness right now is very poor.”
Kerr added that Lendeborg will receive more opportunities as a pick-and-roll ball-handler, giving Golden State another option in late-game situations rather than relying exclusively on Curry and Green.
“We can’t just rely on Steph, Dre pick-and-roll night after night to close games,” Kerr said. “We’re going to put Yaxel in more and more pick-and-roll situations, playmaking situations. I have no doubt he’s going to help us close a lot of games this year.”
The coach also praised young big men Graham Ike and Charles Bassey for embracing expanded opportunities, describing both as fearless and confident. Kerr said the minutes available to younger players would help them grow and reinforce that every member of the roster has a role.
“Nights like tonight, that’s proof that they do and that they’re going to get their opportunity,” Kerr said.
The Warriors visit the Denver Nuggets on Monday, October 26.
