Steve Kerr admitted the Golden State Warriors would have already been eliminated under previous NBA formats, crediting Adam Silver and the Play-In Tournament for extending their season.
The Warriors entered the postseason picture from a difficult position after an inconsistent regular season.
But the current format has given them a second chance, one they have already started to capitalize on.
Speaking after the win in comments shared during the postgame interview , Kerr acknowledged how the format has worked in his team’s favor.
“Look, we finished 10th. You know, we’re lucky to even be here. If this were seven or eight years ago, we’d be on vacation already.
“So I want to thank the league for creating the play-in tournament. Thank you, Adam,” Kerr said.
The Warriors finished the regular season 37-45, a record that would not have qualified for the playoffs under the old system.
Instead, the Play-In Tournament has kept them alive, giving them an opportunity to fight their way into the postseason.
Golden State has already taken one step by defeating the LA Clippers 126-121, overcoming a double-digit fourth-quarter deficit to stay in contention.
However, their path is not complete, as they must now face the Phoenix Suns for the final playoff spot in the Western Conference.
The stakes remain clear, with one more win needed to secure the eighth seed and extend their season further.
For Kerr and the Warriors, the Play-In has not just offered survival, it has created a realistic path back into the playoffs.
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