Cary Edmondson-Imagn Images

Steve Kerr Apologizes for Comments After Warriors' Win

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Paolo Songco | Last updated Dec 7, 2025 6:02 AM ET

Steve Kerr had to field a makeshift lineup on Saturday night as the Golden State Warriors took on the Cleveland Cavaliers in a road game at Rocket Arena. Steph Curry, Jimmy Butler and Draymond Green were all sidelined with respective injuries, while Al Horford, De’Anthony Melton and Seth Curry were unavailable as well.

Despite being extremely shorthanded, however, the Warriors still managed to take down the Cavs, 99-94. Third-year point guard Pat Spencer led the charge for Golden State with a breakout performance. The 29-year-old went off for 19 points on 7-of-12 shooting, four rebounds, seven assists, a steal and three triples in 29 minutes of action.

Coach Kerr got a little bit too excited over Spencer’s performance during the postgame press conference, prompting an apology from the four-time NBA champion coach.

Golden State Warriors guard Pat Spencer against the Houston Rockets.© Troy Taormina-Imagn Images

Spencer, who joined the Warriors in 2023 as an undrafted player, got his first career start on Saturday amid Golden State’s injury woes. The former Northwestern Wildcats standout responded with an eye-opening performance. Spencer logged 16 points, four assists and two treys in Thursday’s loss to the Philadelphia 76ers, and he made sure to keep his foot on the gas against the Cavs.

Coach Kerr had a lot to say about Spencer after his career performance. The four-time NBA champion coach had some high praise for his breakout guard.

“He’s never going to be Steph, but he’s a threat out there,” Kerr said. “… I just think the shot quality now that we’re getting with him on the floor is way better than it was the last couple of years.

“I think the other thing is his coach realized that Pat is that mother [expletive]... That became clear. Sorry. Am I allowed to say that?”

Steve Kerr on Pat Spencer: “His coach realized that Pat is that mother fu****. That became clear. Sorry. Am I allowed to say that?” pic.twitter.com/msJj0KlrkX
— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) December 7, 2025

Kerr added a bit of profanity to emphasize his point, but he quickly apologized for doing so. Kerr even had to check if he was going to get in trouble for what he said, considering the NBA’s stringent rules on the use of profane language.

As for Spencer, he will get another opportunity to make waves in Golden State’s next game. The Warriors are back in action on Sunday against the Chicago Bulls on the second night of a back-to-back set. Curry is still expected to be out with a quad injury, which likely means Spencer will start again on Sunday.

Tip-off from United Center is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. ET.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: