The Golden State Warriors will be on a quest for coach Steve Kerr’s 500th career coaching win as they face the Los Angeles Clippers in San Francisco on Wednesday. Kerr, credited with win No. 499 on Monday, watched the game from nearly 6,000 miles away after attending the funeral of former Warriors assistant coach Dejan Milojevic in Serbia.
Interim coach Kenny Atkinson led the team in Kerr’s absence, orchestrating a stellar team effort with eight players scoring in double figures, resulting in a 129-107 road win over the Utah Jazz. Atkinson acknowledged the emotional challenges the team has faced, especially after the tragic incident involving Milojevic, who suffered a heart attack during a team dinner last month. The postponed game from that night has been rescheduled for Thursday, with the Warriors making a second trip to Utah in four days.
The win against the Jazz brought Kerr within one victory of joining the elite club of NBA coaches with 500 wins. The Warriors are currently on a five-game winning streak heading into the matchup against the Clippers.
The Clippers, despite a 121-100 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves on Monday, maintain a healthy lead in the Pacific Division, where the Warriors are competing with the Los Angeles Lakers for the last place. Kawhi Leonard, focusing on the bigger picture, stressed the importance of improvement and building momentum as they head into the playoffs.
Shooting accuracy has been a determining factor in the first three contests between the Warriors and Clippers, with Golden State holding an advantage in their home win. The Warriors have been on fire, boasting a 48.9 percent overall field goal percentage and a 41.8 percent success rate from 3-point range during their winning streak. Additionally, Golden State’s Gary Payton II, returning from a 16-game absence due to a strained left hamstring, will look to extend his streak after going 5-for-5 against the Phoenix Suns and 4-for-4 at Utah in his last two appearances. The Warriors will aim to secure Coach Kerr’s milestone win and extend their impressive run against the Clippers.
