Dub Hub: Steve Kerr voices frustrations over NBA’s scheduling of Warriors back-to-back

Rounding up all Warriors and NBA related news for Thursday, February 13th.

In today’s Dub Hub:

• Steve Kerr vents his frustrations about tonight’s back-to-back, following the team’s 111-107 loss against the Mavericks.
• NBA announces they will not hold a Steph Curry-Sabrina Ionesco three-point contest rematch during All-Star Weekend.
• Nuggets’ Jamal Murray scores career-high 55 points in win vs. Blazers.

Despite playing on the front end of a back-to-back, Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr leaned heavily on his veteran core of Steph Curry, Draymond Green, and Jimmy Butler on Wednesday night in an effort to complete a comeback bid against the Dallas Mavericks. However, their push fell just short as Dallas held on for a 111-107 victory.

After the game, Kerr voiced his frustration with the NBA’s scheduling, particularly how it impacts the Warriors’ quick turnaround. Golden State now faces the Houston Rockets with an early 5:00 p.m. tip-off less than 24 hours after their tough loss in Dallas.

Curry, Green, and Butler logged heavy minutes—37, 32, and 35, respectively—which could impact their availability for Thursday’s game. Kerr said the final decision on their statuses will be left to Warriors’ director of sports medicine and performance, Rick Celebrini, however, Curry remains hopeful that he’ll be cleared to play in Houston.

For more on this and other news around the NBA, here is our latest news round-up for Thursday, February 13th:

Warriors News:

What we learned as Warriors’ comeback attempt falls short vs. Mavs | NBC Sports Bay Area

A 111-107 loss to the greatly diminished Dallas Mavericks on Wednesday at American Airlines Center wiped away a gallant Warriors comeback and kept them from their first three-game win streak since Nov. 15.

Trailing by double digits much of the game, the Warriors fought back to quiet a nervous crowd but couldn’t finish. Stephen Curry scored a team-high 25 points and Jimmy Butler added 21 to lead Golden State scorers. The bench played well, with all five reserves posting positive plus-minus numbers, led by Brandin Podziemski. He scored 16 points, and Gary Payton II added 14 off the bench.

But Mavericks star Kyrie Irving’s production was too much to overcome. He finished with 42 points on 15-of-25 shooting, including 7 of 10 from deep to bail out Dallas, which had five rotation players on the injury report.

Jimmy Butler says he has to be better at protecting the ball

NBA drops Steph Curry-Sabrina Ionescu 3-point showdown | ESPN

“We weren’t able to land on a plan we thought would raise the bar off of last year’s special moment,” NBA spokesman Mike Bass said. “We all agreed not to proceed and will instead keep the focus on All-Star Sunday’s new format.”

Curry said he wanted the rematch to occur, and there were talks of making it a 2-on-2 format this year potentially involving Klay Thompson, Curry’s former Warriors teammate, and WNBA Rookie of the Year Caitlin Clark.

Steve Kerr, JJ Redick provide respite as Palisades basketball team endures after fires | The Athletic

Kerr graduated from Palisades High in 1983. He introduced his mother, Ann, to the team. They told them how at 90 years old she lost the home where she raised her children. More than half a century of memories incinerated.

“Her house is on Chautauqua (Boulevard),” said Kerr, sporting a navy and white Palisades Dolphins trucker cap. “That’s where I grew up. It’s been in the family since 1969.”

Draymond Green shares his ‘emotional’ reaction to Jimmy Butler trade

NBA News:

Grudge fuels Jamal Murray to career-high 55 points in win vs. Blazers | NBA

The Denver guard was still carrying a grudge against the Portland Trail Blazers over being ejected for some trash-talking on Monday night. Facing them again two days later, Murray let his play do his chirping with a career-best 55 points the Nuggets’ 132-121 victory.

“They (the Trail Blazers) shouldn’t have done that,” Nuggets forward Zeke Nnaji said about the trash talk. “When he’s mad, there’s no one in the world that can stop him.”

Raptors irked by late Tristan Thompson dunk in Cavs’ blowout | ESPN

Raptors coach Darko Rajakovic said Cleveland center Tristan Thompson was “disrespectful” for dunking with four seconds remaining in the fourth quarter of the Cavaliers’ 131-108 victory Wednesday night.

As fans booed, Raptors players Scottie Barnes and Jamal Shead confronted Thompson after the final buzzer to express their displeasure at the late two-handed slam.

“I think what Tristan did there was no class and disrespectful,” Rajakovic said. “I’m not going to stand for that, for sure. I love when my team stands up for themselves. That was no class.”

Matchups for the 2025 NBA All-Star Game

In case you missed it at Golden State of Mind:

Player grades: Warriors vs. Mavericks

Buddy Hield

29 minutes, 3 points, 3 rebounds, 2 fouls, 1-for-9 shooting, 1-for-6 threes, 16.7% TS, -21

Klay Thompson did not have a good shooting night on Wednesday. But his replacement had a much, much worse shooting night.

Grade: D-

Post-game bonus: Worst plus/minus on the team.

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