The Golden State Warriors left Intuit Dome on Jan. 5 knowing the result could have gone either way. A one-point loss to the Clippers was sealed on the final possession, but the game turned long before Jimmy Butler’s last shot. A missed goaltending call, followed by Steve Kerr’s ejection, altered both momentum and emotion in a tightly contested night.
Even in chaos, the Golden State showed patience. Playing without its HC for nearly the final eight minutes, the Warriors mounted a late rally and had a chance to win. Butler, unfazed by the officiating, focused on the answer he saw from his teammates once the tide turned against them.
Jimmy Butler Stance After Steve Kerr Ejection
With 7:57 left in the fourth quarter. Gary Payton II finished a backdoor cut with a layup attempt that struck the backboard before Clippers forward John Collins made contact.
The matchup was ruled a clean block, although replay showed that the ball was already on the glass, which should have resulted in a goaltending call under NBA rules. Frustration flared when the Warriors fell behind by seven, missing their chance to narrow the gap to five.
Jimmy Butler said he doesn’t pay too much attention to referees. Thought the Warriors showed “a lot of fight” after Kerr’s ejection and said “we should play like that from jump street.” Liked the look he got at the buzzer.
“Got to shoot a better shot than that.”
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— Sam Gordon (@BySamGordon) January 6, 2026
“I don’t pay too much attention to the refs,” Butler said after the game. “I thought we showed a lot of fight after Coach got ejected. We should play like that from jump street. I liked the look I got at the buzzer. I’ve got to shoot a better shot than that.”
Kerr reacted immediately, leaving the coaching box and pursuing the officials while shouting in protest. Players and assistant coach Terry Stotts attempted to restrain him, but Kerr was assessed back-to-back technical fouls and ejected. Stotts assumed coaching duties for the remainder of the game.
L.A. took advantage of the situation. Collins converted the technical free throw, and Kris Dunn followed with two more at the line after drawing a foul. The Clippers’ lead grew to double digits and eventually reached 13 with under five minutes to play. Golden State, however, continued to push.
With sharp shooting at key moments, Stephen Curry ended up with 27 points before fouling out late – his first time since December 2021. Scoring 24 points, Butler helped fuel the effort. Draymond Green set up teammates all night, logging 12 assists. The Warriors stayed close by creating 20 turnovers.
Golden State ultimately fell short after shooting 38 percent from the field and missing 31 of 41 three-point attempts. Still, the effort after Kerr’s ejection stood out. The Warriors did not unravel. They competed to the final possession, showing a level of fight Butler made clear should define them from the opening tip.
