Following the Golden State Warriors at LA Clippers game on January 5, 2026, Crew Chief Brian Forte conducted a Pool Report interview to clarify several officiating decisions. This report details explanations regarding Coach Steve Kerr's ejection and two specific game incidents.
Coach Steve Kerr's Ejection
Forte stated that Warriors Coach Steve Kerr received his first technical foul for aggressively approaching an official while shouting profanities. After the initial technical foul was assessed, Kerr continued to shout profanities while being restrained by an assistant coach, which resulted in the issuance of a second technical foul and his subsequent ejection from the game.
Uncalled Goaltending Incident
A play involving Gary Payton's shot and John Collins' touch was identified as a point of contention. Forte confirmed that the shot by Payton contacted the backboard before being touched by Collins, indicating that it should have been ruled a goaltending violation. He clarified that such a play could only have been reviewed if a goaltending call had been made on the floor and subsequently challenged by the Clippers. This is due to the incident not occurring within the final two minutes of the game, a period where automatic reviews are triggered.
Stephen Curry's Non-Shooting Foul
Regarding an earlier play in the fourth quarter where Stephen Curry was not granted continuation on a made floater, Forte explained the decision. He stated that Curry was grabbed around the hip by John Collins prior to Curry's gather for the shot, which was determined to be a non-shooting foul.