Sat May 03 03:20:00 UTC 2025: ## Warriors Coach Kerr Reveals Halftime Huddle with Draymond Green Led to Early Starter Benching
**San Francisco, CA** – Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr revealed a crucial halftime conversation with Draymond Green that led to the early benching of the team’s starting five during Game 5 of their first-round playoff series against the Houston Rockets. Facing a significant 27-point deficit at halftime (76-49), Kerr consulted Green, who succinctly advised pulling the starters after five minutes of the third quarter.
“Draymond and I know each other so well,” Kerr explained. “I asked him what he thought, and he said ‘five minutes.’ I agreed.” The starters – Green, Steph Curry, Jimmy Butler, Brandin Podziemski, and Buddy Hield – were subsequently replaced with reserves.
While the bench initially continued to trail, their performance in the fourth quarter proved impactful. A late surge brought them within 11 points of the Rockets, forcing Houston coach Ime Udoka to reinsert his own starters, thereby shortening their rest ahead of Game 6. Kerr praised the bench’s aggression, noting it disrupted Houston’s comfort and forced turnovers.
Kerr confirmed that it was “highly unlikely” the starting five would return to the game, prioritizing their rest and focus on the crucial Game 6. The decision, he explained, stemmed from a pre-halftime discussion with assistant coach Terry Stotts, weighing the risk versus reward of playing the starters with a significant deficit and a tight turnaround to the next game. The coach ultimately decided to let the bench play out the remainder of the game. The Warriors ultimately lost Game 5, 131-116.
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