Wed May 07 03:10:00 UTC 2025: ## Warriors’ Kerr Weighs Lineup Changes for Crucial Game 7 Against Rockets

**San Francisco, CA** – With the Golden State Warriors facing a must-win Game 7 against the Houston Rockets on Sunday, head coach Steve Kerr is considering significant lineup adjustments. Following a Game 6 loss where the Rockets dominated the boards and implemented a perplexing zone defense, Kerr hinted at increased playing time for center Kevon Looney and possibly forward Jonathan Kuminga.

Looney, a veteran presence who has played alongside Kerr for a decade, is expected to counter the Rockets’ Steven Adams, who proved a formidable force in Game 6. Kerr acknowledged the difficulty of pulling Adams away from the paint due to Houston’s unusual zone, making traditional pick-and-roll strategies ineffective. Looney, despite playing only two minutes in Game 6, is seen as a key to mitigating Adams’ impact.

Kuminga, a less predictable element, could also see an expanded role. While his minutes have been limited recently, Kerr cited his strong defensive performance against Jalen Green in Game 3 as a potential factor in his Game 7 decision. The coach emphasized the need to find the right complementary players for Kuminga to maximize his effectiveness within Houston’s zone defense.

The increased minutes for Looney and/or Kuminga could come at the expense of other players. Gary Payton II is out due to illness, while Quinten Post, seen as a defensive liability, is also a potential candidate for reduced playing time. Kerr admitted to a difficult balancing act, needing both shooting and defensive capabilities in his lineup. Ultimately, his decisions will hinge on crafting a lineup that counters Houston’s defensive strategy while maintaining offensive flow.

Despite the lineup challenges, Kerr emphasized that the Warriors’ Game 6 loss stemmed primarily from emotional lapses and a failure to contain offensive rebounds, rather than purely strategic issues. The team’s overall mental response will be crucial in determining their success in the decisive Game 7.

Read More