Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr is calling for an “emergency” discussion about shortening the NBA regular season, intensifying his push to reduce the league’s traditional 82-game schedule as injuries continue to mount across the 2025-26 campaign.
Speaking ahead of a matchup against the New York Knicks, Kerr renewed his criticism of the current calendar, arguing that the modern pace of play has made the existing schedule physically unsustainable.
With the Warriors missing multiple key players – including Stephen Curry and Jimmy Butler – Kerr said the league can no longer ignore what he believes is a clear link between workload and injuries.
“I’m well aware fewer games would mean less revenue… everybody takes a pay cut,” Kerr said.
And I’m willing to stick my neck out and say I’m all for that because the quality of the product is the most important thing.
Kerr pushes 72-game proposal amid injury surge
Kerr’s proposal centers on permanently reducing the regular season to 72 games, an idea he has advocated in previous years but now frames as urgent.
He pointed to increased player speed and distance compared with previous eras – including his own playing days – as evidence that the league’s evolution has outpaced its scheduling model.
The 2025-26 season has been heavily shaped by injuries to star players across the league, reinforcing Kerr’s argument that fatigue is affecting both player health and on-court quality.
He added that teams have already adjusted by scaling back practices and shootarounds during road trips in an effort to limit physical strain.
Kerr said he previously contacted Commissioner Adam Silver about the issue earlier this season but encountered resistance from the league office, which cited insufficient data proving that fewer games would reduce injuries.
Debate grows despite financial and league hurdles
Any schedule reduction would require major structural changes, including adjustments to media rights agreements and the collective bargaining agreement – significant obstacles to implementation.
The proposal has also sparked debate among media voices, with commentator Stephen A. Smith questioning whether modern players lack durability compared to past generations.
Still, fan reaction online has largely supported Kerr’s stance, with many pointing to declining intensity and frequent absences by star players.
For Kerr, the issue goes beyond competitive balance. As the injury-hit Warriors fight to stay in play-in contention at 32-34, he believes the league must prioritize long-term sustainability.
“The math is simple,”Kerr said. “A shorter season means a better game.”
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