Kerr Jokes with Hield Over Missed Pass to Curry: 'That's Steph Curry—Give Him the Ball

Warriors head coach Steve Kerr couldn’t resist injecting some humor into a high-pressure playoff push.

During Golden State’s blowout victory over the Suns on Tuesday in Phoenix, TNT cameras caught a lighthearted exchange on the bench between Kerr, Steph Curry, and guard Buddy Hield. The moment followed a play where Hield opted to shoot a three-pointer instead of passing to a wide-open Curry in the corner.

“I was just having fun,” Kerr told 95.7 The Game’s Mark T. Willard and Dan Dibley on Thursday. “Buddy is an incredible guy. He brings a ton of energy and laughter to the locker room, and he can definitely take a joke.”

Kerr explained he used the next timeout to give Hield a playful reminder about who he shares the court with.

“He missed Steph in transition. Steph was all alone in the corner. Buddy let one fly, and when we got to the huddle, I figured I’d make it a teachable moment—but with a little fun,” Kerr said. “I told him, ‘When you’re playing with Steph Curry, it’s probably a good idea to pass him the ball when he’s open.’”

Hield missed the first attempt, but knocked down the second shot after a lucky rebound. Still, Kerr stuck to the point.

Caught on camera, Kerr told Hield, “Come here. Buddy, meet Steph. Steph, this is Buddy. He’s the greatest shooter in NBA history, and he was wide open.”

Hield laughed, replying, “He came open late.”

“I love you, Buddy,” Kerr said with a grin.

While Curry is the undisputed king of the three-ball, having surpassed 4,000 career 3-pointers earlier this season, Hield is also a prolific shooter with over 2,100 made triples. But when Steph Curry has a clean look, everyone knows the rule: get him the ball.

Even in Game 79, Kerr made sure to give a gentle reminder.