Steve Kerr Sends Blunt Message After Warriors’ Loss to Blazers
The Golden State Warriors couldn’t keep their early momentum rolling on Friday night, falling 139–119 to the Portland Trail Blazers.
Coming off a thrilling overtime win over the Denver Nuggets
Stephen Curry led all scorers with 35 points, six rebounds, and three assists, shooting 12-of-22 from the field and 7-of-14 from deep. But it wasn’t enough to overcome a night where nearly everything went wrong for the Warriors.
Stephen Curry tonight:
▫️35 PTS ▫️6 REB ▫️3 AST ▫️55 FG% ▫️7 3s (50%) ▫️1 STL ▫️2 BLK
Did all he could in the loss
Steve Kerr Doesn’t Sugarcoat It
After the game, Steve Kerr didn’t mince words when assessing his team’s performance.
“They just dominated us tonight,” Kerr said. “Took us out of everything. They were on fire. They deserved it.”
Kerr gave full credit to Portland, refusing to blame the loss on fatigue from the back-to-back.
“Tonight wasn’t about that,” he continued. “It was about Portland — their length, their athleticism, and their style of play. I’d be embarrassed to blame fatigue when a team just came out and took it to us.”
It was vintage Kerr honesty — direct, measured, and built on accountability. The message was clear: the Warriors were outplayed.
Warriors head coach Steve Kerr said “(The Trail Blazers) just dominated us tonight. Took us out of everything. They were on fire. … They were fantastic and they deserved it, obviously.” Discounted Golden State’s fatigue and credited Portland’s force and two-way play.
Warriors’ Night to Forget — But Not to Dwell On
Golden State’s issues went beyond tired legs. They struggled with Portland’s defensive pressure and spacing, particularly in transition. The Blazers’ youth and energy exposed the Warriors’ sloppy execution, forcing them into rushed passes and low-quality shots.
Still, it’s one loss in an 82-game season. The Warriors know perspective matters. At 2–1, they’ll use the next two days to reset before facing the Memphis Grizzlies.
Curry looked sharp, and
Looking Ahead for the Warriors
Getty De’Anthony Melton of the Golden State Warriors in action.
The Warriors are still shorthanded. De’Anthony Melton has yet to make his debut as he continues ACL rehab, while Seth Curry
Losses like Friday’s sting, but they also serve as reminders. For a veteran group that’s seen everything from championship highs to lottery lows, one blowout in October won’t shake belief.
The Trail Blazers may have handed them an early lesson — but for the Warriors, lessons like this are part of the climb back to where they belong.
Browns Take Another Shot at Deshaun Watson After Return Update
Cleveland Browns owner Jimmy Haslam backed head coach Kevin Stefanski amid calls for his job but also took a shot at quarterback Deshaun Watson.
Haslam has made his feelings clear on how the Watson trade has affected the franchise. He
“Kevin’s done a really good job with us, and we’ve had some tough breaks,” Haslam told Russini, referring to the Watson trade. “A big trade we made didn’t work out, and you know, we’re all suffering from that. Kevin, I thought, really did a great job of rallying the troops last week at a really critical time. You find out about leaders when things are bad, not when they’re good, and he did a good job last week.”
The Browns made a blockbuster move in 2022, acquiring Watson in hopes of finally finding their long-sought franchise quarterback. Cleveland surrendered three first-round picks and additional assets to complete the deal, then signed Watson to a
Browns QB Deshaun Watson Eager to Return
Since the trade, Watson has dealt with a mix of setbacks — from a lengthy suspension to multiple injuries. He’s currently
Watson carries a cap hit of nearly $36 million this season, which skyrockets to roughly $80 million next year. If the Browns were to move on from the embattled quarterback, they’d be facing a record-setting dead cap charge.
Despite his rough stay in Cleveland and the injury setbacks, Watson has said he’s set on returning and proving his doubters wrong.
“Everyone is doubting me — everyone don’t believe in me,”
Deshaun Watson Remains a Presence for Browns
Watson has remained a presence around the Browns’ facility as he continues to get back to full health. Browns quarterbacks coach Bill Musgrave complimented Watson for being a resource for rookie Dillon Gabriel.
“I like when those two birds converse, I like when they’re talking over there,” Musgrave said. “And I try to take myself out of the equation – I don’t need to be there hovering all over them. They spoke a lot during the game, in fact, the other day against Miami on the sideline with Deshaun being there. Deshaun went on the trip with us down to Charlotte to get his Achilles looked at, but otherwise he hasn’t been on the road. We miss him on the road. It’s great to have his presence on the sideline for our young group.”
Musgrave also commended Watson for his work behind the scenes as he prepares for a return to the field.
“He’s working hard,” Musgrave said. “I see him in the weight room all the time doing box jumps and doing all the exercises, things that they put them through before his Achilles, and then he’s out throwing some passes. I know at times when we’re meeting or when we’re doing other stuff during the afternoon, he seems like he’s working like crazy.”
Watson is expected to undergo further evaluation following the Browns’ bye week. At that point, both he and the team will determine whether he’s ready to return to practice. Watson remains on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list, but once he returns to practice, the Browns will have 21 days to add him to the active roster.
If activated, it’s unknown where Watson could slot into the depth chart alongside Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders. But if Haslam’s comments are any indicator, the team views him more as part of their past and not the future.
