Kerr added that he was a proponent of the NBA shortening its schedule from 82 regular-season games to 65. Kerr feels so strongly about this issue, he emailed NBA commissioner Adam Silver before the start of this season to plead his case.

Steve Kerr and the NBA Play-In Tournament had a checkered history until Tuesday night. The Warriors entered their matchup with the Grizzlies winless in three play-in games under Kerr, including a blowout loss to the Kings that ended their last season last year.

Steve Kerr has never been one to shy away from standing up for his beliefs. That continued on Tuesday night as the Warriors’ head coach wore a Harvard basketball shirt during his post-game press conference — making a strong statement about educational freedom.