The Golden State Warriors suffered a 120-114 loss to the Denver Nuggets on Monday night, prompting Coach Steve Kerr to express frustration with the officiating and the significant free-throw disparity in the game.

Nikola Jokic, the star center for the Nuggets, proved to be a formidable force, scoring 26 points and going a perfect 18-of-18 from the free-throw line. In contrast, the Warriors attempted only 23 free throws throughout the game, leaving Coach Kerr displeased with the disparity.

Speaking to reporters after the game, Kerr emphasized his frustration with the way defense was being "legislated out of the game." He criticized the way officials were taught to make foul calls, suggesting that players were exploiting the system to draw fouls.

"The way we're teaching officials, we're just enabling players to (fool) their way to the foul line," Kerr stated. Expressing his disappointment further, he added, "If I was a fan, I wouldn't have wanted to watch the second half of that game. It was disgusting."

Kerr acknowledged that players in the league have become adept at taking advantage of how officials call games. He pointed out the inconsistency in the way physicality is interpreted and lamented the impact it had on the flow of the game.

Warriors star Stephen Curry echoed Kerr's sentiments, expressing frustration with the inconsistent officiating that seemed to favor one side over the other. Curry attributed the change in momentum to Jokic's flawless free-throw shooting, which ultimately played into the Nuggets' hands.

On the other side, Nuggets guard Jamal Murray defended Jokic, stating that his teammate often gets "beat up" under the basket. Murray recognized the challenge officials face in calling every foul and understood their limitations in maintaining consistency.

With this defeat, the defending NBA champions now hold a record of 22-10, while the Golden State Warriors stand at 15-15. The free-throw disparity highlighted in this game has spurred further discussion on the way the game is officiated and the impact it can have on the outcome.

As the league continues to grapple with issues related to fouls and officiating consistency, it remains to be seen whether any changes will be implemented to address the concerns raised by Coach Kerr and other players.