Steve Kerr says ‘everyone’ knows there should be fewer NBA games: ‘But it’s a money issue’

The NBA has long operated on an 82-game regular-season schedule for each team, as the league first adopted the format in the 1967-68 season.

But Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr is a proponent of shortening the 82-game slate to just 65 contests, based on some of his past comments. Kerr is passionate enough about the length of the season that he apparently emailed NBA commissioner Adam Silver before this season on the subject.

Kerr believes it’s common knowledge that the NBA schedule should consist of fewer games, but he seems skeptical that such a change will go into effect because it’s a “money issue.” He spoke about the topic.

“We should be playing fewer games,” Kerr said. “Everyone knows that. But it’s a money issue. How many of the constituents are willing to take less money?”

Kerr, who knows what it’s like to navigate a long season as a player, continued.

“A lot of things have evolved, including the rules,” Kerr added. “It’s on us to adapt to that as coaches and as caretakers of the league. I just have so much faith in Adam Silver and respect for the league management.

“What I don’t have faith in is America’s willingness to cut back on a few profits here and there in the name of quality. I don’t think that’s in our nature in America.”

Fortunately for Kerr’s Warriors, their regular-season slate is nearing a close. Golden State will wrap up its schedule with a matinee game against the Los Angeles Clippers on Sunday and is seeking its 49th victory on the campaign.

Maybe Kerr is particularly vocal about his opinion that the NBA season should be shortened because he’s seen some important players for the Warriors miss games over the years, whether it be due to injury or rest.

Thankfully, right now, the Warriors are working with a relatively clean bill of health with the start of the 2025 NBA Playoffs under one week away. That’s good news for a Golden State team that has started to get some attention in the championship discussion due to how impressive it’s been since acquiring star forward Jimmy Butler from the Miami Heat.

Kerr and the Warriors will hope to cap off the regular season with a victory over a Clippers squad that’s red-hot. Los Angeles has come out on top in every one of its past seven games and is just ahead of the Warriors in the Western Conference standings. The Clippers have benefitted from having star forward Kawhi Leonard in the lineup as of late.