Fury Erupts Over Viral Post Claiming Steve Kerr Is Fired from Warriors

A false report claiming that Steve Kerr had been fired as head coach of the Golden State Warriors ignited a frenzy online this week, stirring confusion and backlash among fans just as the team prepared for a high-stakes play-in tournament matchup against Memphis.

The rumor gained traction following the Warriors’ 124-119 overtime loss to the Los Angeles Clippers — a game that pushed Golden State out of a guaranteed playoff spot and into the play-in bracket with a 48-34 regular season finish. The tension around the team’s disappointing end to the regular season provided fertile ground for speculation, and a now-debunked Facebook post from the NBA fan page Box Score PH falsely announced Kerr’s dismissal. Despite the post racking up more than 33,000 reactions and thousands of shares, reputable sources, including Sporting News, quickly confirmed that the report was entirely untrue.

Still, the misinformation spread rapidly, with many fans taking to social media to either express their anger at the supposed move or criticize Kerr’s coaching decisions in the wake of the loss. The situation mirrored the growing trend of viral sports rumors gaining momentum online before being fact-checked — often too late to prevent widespread belief.

The loss to the Clippers — particularly painful due to its playoff implications — featured standout performances from L.A.’s James Harden, who delivered clutch threes to help his team clinch the No. 5 seed. In contrast, scrutiny of Kerr’s player rotation intensified, especially after he kept forward Jonathan Kuminga on the bench for the entire game. Kuminga, who was reportedly healthy and ready to play, was seen warming up pregame but never entered the court.

After the game, Kerr addressed the decision, stating, “We’ve just found a group since Jimmy got here that we’re pretty comfortable with. Both he [Gui Santos] and JK have been really impactful players for us.” He went on to explain that while Kuminga wasn’t utilized in this particular matchup, that didn’t necessarily indicate a long-term exclusion. “It doesn’t mean they’re out of the loop going forward; this is just how this game played out.”

The controversial coaching call didn’t sit well with many fans, who blamed Kerr’s lineup decisions for the Warriors’ inability to secure a direct playoff berth. Some even interpreted the benching as a signal of internal issues between Kerr and younger players like Kuminga.

Despite the uproar, Steve Kerr remains the head coach of the Golden State Warriors. The organization has not issued any indication that his job is at risk, and no official changes have been announced. As the team gears up to face the Memphis Grizzlies in the play-in tournament on Tuesday, April 15 at 10 p.m. ET, the focus now shifts back to performance on the court.

Kerr, who has led the Warriors to four NBA titles (2015, 2017, 2018, and 2022), is widely credited with revolutionizing modern basketball with his fast-paced, three-point-heavy system. He also coached Team USA to a gold medal at the 2023 FIBA World Cup and remains one of the most respected minds in the sport. Though the recent criticism may sting, it pales in comparison to his impressive legacy — both as a player with the Bulls and Spurs, and as a coach in Golden State.

In the end, the viral post turned out to be nothing more than a baseless rumor — but it served as a reminder of how quickly misinformation can dominate the discourse, especially when tensions are high. For now, the Warriors will have to silence the noise the best way they know how: by winning.