Steve Kerr Says Warriors Have 'Got to Be More Poised' After Blowout Loss vs. Lakers

Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr doesn't want to see his team unravel again like it did in the second quarter of a 127-97 defeat to the Los Angeles Lakers on Saturday in the 2023 NBA playoffs.

"You got to be more poised than we were," Kerr told reporters after Game 3. "... It's easier in a regular season to respond to a tough stretch. Everything is magnified in the playoffs. So a tough stretch can turn into a longer stretch ... we let our foot off the gas and the Lakers took advantage of that."

While there was still a lot of game to be played, the Warriors looked in great shape when they led 30-23 after the first quarter. Then Golden State experienced the kind of scoring outburst it has typically delivered to opposing teams during its dynastic run.

The Warriors' lead grew to 11 points at the 7:53 mark of the second quarter before the Lakers outscored them 30-8 over the remainder of the half.

"We had things rolling in the first half," Golden State star Stephen Curry said. "As soon as the game turned, we played right into their hands. I'm not really worried about the adjustments, more so just connecting the game."

The Lakers went to the free-throw line 15 times during the pivotal second quarter, gaining a plus-10 advantage at the charity stripe over the period. Draymond Green and JaMychal Green both received technical fouls, while Moses Moody was assessed for a Flagrant 1 foul.

A previous iteration of Golden State might have regrouped at halftime. The third quarter is historically when Kerr's squad has done its best work. Instead, the Lakers built a 17-point lead within the first four minutes of the half and continued to put their foot on the gas.

Nobody in the Bay Area will be panicking because the Warriors trail Los Angeles 2-1 in the series. Surely the reigning champions will have a firm response in Game 4 on Monday.

But the first three games of the Western Conference semifinals might have been a bit of a reality check.

After Curry's 50-point performance in Game 7 against the Sacramento Kings, it was easy to buy into Golden State asserting itself as the top championship favorite left in the field. Maybe that's still the case, but the Warriors will have to overcome some stiff resistance along the way.