Watch: Warriors coach Steve Kerr ejected vs. Clippers

Jan. 6 (UPI) -- Star guard Stephen Curry expressed love for Steve Kerr after the Golden State Warriors' coach was ejected during a loss to the Los Angeles Clippers.

The incident, sparked by Kerr arguing with referees, occurred with about eight minutes remaining in the Warriors' 103-102 setback Monday in Inglewood, Calif. Curry totaled a game-high 27 points, but fouled out and also departed early.

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"To be honest, I was going to do that, but then I saw him," Curry told reporters, when asked about Kerr. "That's why I fouled Kris Dunn, because I was watching coach go crazy.

"I was appreciative of that. ... I love that fired up Steve, for sure. Somebody had to do it."

The Clippers led 81-74 with 8:04 on the clock when guard Gary Payton II attempted a shot on the left side of the hoop. Clippers forward/center John Collins jumped into the area and blocked the shot against the backboard, sparking a breakaway.

Curry was called for a foul on the play. Kerr also was assessed with a technical. Collins then made one of two technical free throws. Dunn also made two free throws during the possession to push the Clippers' lead to 10 points.

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Payton and Warriors assistant coach Terry Stotts held Kerr back as he attempted to work his way toward referees during his ejection sequence.

Stotts, who told reporters he conducted a postgame news conference for Kerr to "save him some money [a potential fine from the NBA]," said an alleged missed goaltending call on the Collins block was the "last straw" for the coach.

The Warriors, who trailed by 13 with 4:48 remaining, used a 19-7 run to cut the deficit to 101-100 with 65 seconds remaining. Curry drew his sixth and final foul, resulting in his exit, about 22 seconds later.

Warriors center Draymond Green made a layup with 33 seconds remaining to make the score 103-102, but forward Jimmy Butler missed a game-winning shot attempt in the final seconds, resulting in the loss.

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Curry made 9 of 23 shots, including 4 of 14 from 3-point range, before fouling out for the first time since 2021.

Butler made 7 of 16 shots for 24 points. Payton chipped in 14 points off the Warriors bench. Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard logged 24 points, 12 rebounds and five assists in the victory. Guard Kobe Sanders chipped in 20 points.

The Warriors (19-18) will host the Milwaukee Bucks (16-20) at 10 p.m. EST Wednesday in San Francisco. The Clippers (13-22) will take on the New York Knicks (23-13) at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday in New York.