Curry scores 35 points, Horford hits 4 threes in the final quarter! Warriors eliminate Clippers in play-in game, will face Suns for Western Conference 8th seed.

On April 16, Beijing time, in the NBA play-in game, the Warriors defeated the Clippers 126-121 away, and will face the Suns on April 18 in the play-in game to compete for the Western Conference 8th seed position. Curry exploded with 35 points, shooting 7-of-12 from three-point range, and despite multiple trips back to the locker room during the game, he fought until the end. The Clippers led by up to 13 points, but the Warriors reversed the game in the final quarter to win. Kawhi Leonard scored 21 points and 7 rebounds, and with this loss, the Clippers' 2025-26 season comes to an end.

Statistics

Warriors: Curry 35 points, 7 threes, 4 assists; Porzingis 20 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 blocks; Santos 20 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists; Podziemski 17 points, 7 rebounds; Horford 14 points, 4 threes; Green 7 points, 5 rebounds, 9 assists, 4 steals; Melton 7 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists; Payton Jr. 6 points, 3 rebounds.

Clippers: Mathurin 23 points, 3 rebounds; Leonard 21 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists; Garland 21 points, 5 rebounds, 8 assists; Lopez 17 points, 5 rebounds; Collins 11 points, 9 rebounds; Jones 13 points, 3 steals; Dunn 7 points, 3 rebounds, 10 assists, 3 steals; Miller 5 points.

Star of the Game

Curry performed excellently, leading the Warriors to eliminate the Clippers.

Game Highlights

Clippers fans attempted to disrupt Warriors players during free throws by holding up a picture of Klay Thompson with the words "Miss me?"

Former Clippers player Zubac watched the game from the sidelines, receiving applause and cheers from the fans!

Game Recap

In the first quarter, Santos scored on a layup to give the Warriors the first points. Lopez scored on a putback, Garland scored 4 consecutive points, Kawhi also scored 4 consecutive points, Garland hit a mid-range shot, and the Clippers responded with a 12-0 run to extend the lead to double digits. Podziemski hit a three-pointer to break the Warriors' scoring drought. Porzingis, Green, and Santos also scored consecutively, Curry hit a three-pointer, and the Warriors responded with a 15-4 run to take the lead. Kawhi hit a mid-range shot, Sanders and Miller hit threes, and the Clippers went on another 8-0 run. Curry was 1-of-5 in the first quarter and briefly returned to the locker room after being substituted. Porzingis scored on a putback dunk, Mathurin scored 5 consecutive points. At the end of the first quarter, the Clippers led the Warriors 31-22.

In the second quarter, Melton, Podziemski, Santos, and Payton scored consecutively on layups, Porzingis hit a three-pointer, Melton dunked, and the Warriors unleashed a 13-0 run to take a 4-point lead over the Clippers. Dunn and Garland hit consecutive threes to help the Clippers stabilize. Lopez and Kawhi also scored inside, giving the Clippers a 5-point lead. Santos dunked, Kawhi scored on a 2+1. Podziemski and Curry hit consecutive threes, Porzingis scored on a putback dunk, Mathurin hit a three-pointer, and Kawhi responded with a dunk. At halftime, the Clippers led the Warriors 61-53.

After switching sides in the third quarter, Green dunked, Lopez and Garland scored on floaters. Porzingis scored 5 consecutive points, Curry scored on a layup, and the Warriors went on a 7-0 run to reduce the deficit to 3 points. Kawhi hit a three-pointer, Jones scored 4 consecutive points. Curry regained his touch, scoring on a 3+1 and scoring 8 consecutive points. Payton Jr. scored on a putback, Collins, Mathurin, and Dunn scored consecutively, and the Clippers responded with a 7-0 run. Curry hit two more consecutive threes. Garland received his 5th foul, Mathurin hit a three-pointer. Collins and Santos exchanged threes. At the end of the third quarter, the Clippers led the Warriors 89-83, with Curry scoring 16 points in the quarter.

In the final quarter, Mathurin hit a three-pointer, Collins hit a mid-range shot. Melton scored on a layup, Garland and Mathurin scored consecutively on free throws. Santos and Curry hit threes, Porzingis scored on a 2+1 and then hit a three-pointer, reducing the deficit to 3 points. Garland scored on a 2+1, Curry also scored on a layup, Lopez scored on a floater. Garland hit a three-pointer, Horford hit 3 consecutive threes. Lopez also hit a three-pointer, Curry and Santos scored on layups. Horford hit his 4th three-pointer, and the Warriors took a 2-point lead. Lopez made two free throws, Curry hit a three-pointer, Green stole the ball, Podziemski scored on a 2+1, Garland fouled out with six fouls. Green stole the ball from Kawhi, Curry made one of two free throws. Kawhi dunked, but it was already too late to turn the game around. Ultimately, the Warriors reversed the game to win and eliminated the Clippers.

Starting Lineups

Warriors: Curry, Podziemski, Santos, Green, Porzingis

Clippers: Garland, Dunn, Jones, Leonard, Lopez