Warriors vs Clippers: Curry Drops 35 Points to Lead Golden State to a 126-121 Win
Basketball fans got a great show when the Golden State Warriors faced the LA Clippers in a high-stakes play-in game. This matchup meant a lot for both teams. The winner would move one step closer to the NBA playoffs, and the loser would face a must-win game or go home for the season. In the end, the Warriors came out on top with a 126-121 win, thanks to a huge night from their star point guard, Stephen Curry.
Game Overview
The game took place at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California, which is the home court of the LA Clippers. This was a play-in game, not a regular playoff game. In the NBA, teams that finish the regular season in 7th to 10th place in their conference play in these games. The winner gets a spot in the playoffs.
Before this game, the Warriors were the 10th seed in the Western Conference with a record of 37 wins and 45 losses. The Clippers were the 9th seed with a record of 42 wins and 40 losses. Since the Clippers had the better record, they hosted the game and had the small edge going in. Betting odds also favored the Clippers by about 5.5 points before tip-off.
But games are not won on paper. The Warriors played strong basketball from start to finish and walked away with a 126-121 victory. This win kept their season alive and set up another chance for them to reach the playoffs.
Final Score and Team Stats
Here is a quick look at how each team performed as a whole:
| Stat | Golden State Warriors | LA Clippers |
|---|---|---|
| Final Score | 126 | 121 |
| Field Goal % | 57% (47-83) | 52% (45-86) |
| Three-Point % | 46% (19-41) | 40% (14-35) |
| Free Throw % | 62% (13-21) | 100% (17-17) |
| Rebounds | 36 | 36 |
| Turnovers | 20 | 18 |
| Largest Lead | 7 | 13 |
Looking at these numbers, we can see the Warriors had a much better shooting night. They made 57% of their field goals and 46% of their three-point shots. Those are excellent numbers for any NBA team in a single game. The Clippers shot well too, but not quite as well as the Warriors from the field and beyond the arc.
One interesting stat is free throws. The Clippers made all 17 of their free throw attempts, a perfect 100%. That is a very rare thing to see in a basketball game. Even with this perfect free throw shooting, it was not enough to beat the Warriors, because Golden State was so strong from the field.
Turnovers were close, with the Warriors giving the ball away 20 times and the Clippers 18 times. Both teams pulled down 36 rebounds, so the battle on the boards was even.
Top Player Stats for the Warriors
Stephen Curry: The Star of the Night
Stephen Curry was the best player on the court by a wide margin. He scored 35 points, which led all players in the game. He shot 12 for 23 from the field and made 4 of 5 free throws. This kind of scoring output is normal for Curry, who is known as one of the greatest shooters in NBA history. His shooting kept the Clippers defense on its heels all night, and his ability to score from anywhere on the floor made it hard for LA to build a big lead.
Brandin Podziemski: Solid on the Boards
Brandin Podziemski had a strong game on the rebounding end. He grabbed 7 rebounds, with 5 defensive boards and 2 offensive boards. This kind of hustle play helps a team control the pace of the game and get extra chances to score. Podziemski has become a key young player for the Warriors this season, and games like this show why the coaching staff trusts him in big moments.
Draymond Green: The Playmaker
Draymond Green ran the offense well and finished with 9 assists. He also played 35 minutes, showing how much the coaching staff relies on him during important games. He did have 3 turnovers, which is something to watch, but his ability to set up teammates for easy baskets was a big reason the Warriors offense flowed so smoothly.
Top Player Stats for the Clippers
Bennedict Mathurin: Leading the Attack
Bennedict Mathurin led the Clippers in scoring with 23 points. He shot an efficient 7 for 11 from the field and made all 4 of his free throw attempts. Even though his team lost, Mathurin showed he can be a reliable scorer when his team needs points the most.
John Collins: A Force on the Boards
John Collins was the top rebounder for the Clippers, grabbing 9 boards in total, with 8 coming on the defensive end and 1 on the offensive end. His work under the basket helped the Clippers stay close in the rebounding battle, even though it was not enough to secure the win.
Kris Dunn: Setting Up His Teammates
Kris Dunn was the top playmaker for the Clippers with 10 assists. He only had 1 turnover in 32 minutes, which is a very good ratio. His steady play helped keep the Clippers in the game until the final minutes, but the Warriors’ hot shooting proved to be too much to overcome.
Why This Game Mattered
Play-in games carry extra weight because every possession matters. A loss can end a team’s season right away, while a win keeps hope alive. For the Warriors, this win was important because their season had been up and down. Before this game, they had lost three games in a row, including a loss to this same Clippers team just a few days earlier. Bouncing back with a win in a big spot showed real character from the team.
For the Clippers, this loss was tough to take since they were the favorite going into the game and had home-court advantage. Star player Kawhi Leonard was one of the top scorers in the league this season, averaging around 27.9 points per game, but injuries and role changes on the roster meant other players had to step up in this particular contest.
A Quick Look Back at the Season Series
This was not the first meeting between these two teams this season. The Warriors and Clippers played each other several times, and the results went back and forth. In fact, just three days before this game, the Clippers beat the Warriors 115-110 in a close contest. That made this rematch even more exciting, since the Warriors had a chance to get payback right away.
Looking at the full history between these two franchises, the Warriors have won more games overall in their long rivalry. Across hundreds of regular season meetings over the years, Golden State holds the edge in total wins. But every season brings new storylines, and this year’s play-in matchup added one more exciting chapter to the rivalry.
What Made the Difference
When we look closely at the stats, a few things stand out as reasons why the Warriors won this game:
- Better shooting overall. The Warriors shot 57% from the field compared to the Clippers’ 52%. In a close game, this gap in shooting efficiency can decide the outcome.
- Curry’s big scoring night. Having one player score 35 points gives a team a huge advantage. It takes pressure off other players and forces the other team to focus extra attention on stopping one man.
- Balanced playmaking. Draymond Green’s 9 assists helped spread the ball around and create easy shots for teammates, which added to the team’s high shooting percentage.
- Free throw shooting was not enough for the Clippers. Even a perfect night at the free throw line could not make up for missing more shots from the field compared to Golden State.
Final Thoughts
This game between the Golden State Warriors and the LA Clippers was a great example of high-level NBA basketball in a pressure-packed play-in matchup. Stephen Curry reminded everyone why he is one of the best shooters the game has ever seen, dropping 35 points to carry his team to victory. Meanwhile, Bennedict Mathurin, John Collins, and Kris Dunn all had strong games for the Clippers, but it was not quite enough to get the win at home.
Both teams showed why they belong in the playoff conversation, and fans of both sides got to watch an entertaining, back-and-forth contest. As the playoffs continue, expect more big performances from these talented rosters.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the Warriors vs Clippers game, and what was the final score?
The Golden State Warriors won the game with a final score of 126-121 over the LA Clippers.
Who was the top scorer in the Warriors vs Clippers game?
Stephen Curry was the top scorer in the game. He finished with 35 points, shooting 12 for 23 from the field and 4 for 5 from the free throw line.
What atype of game was this between the Warriors and the Clippers?
This was an NBA play-in tournament game. The Warriors entered as the 10th seed in the Western Conference, and the Clippers entered as the 9th seed. The winner advanced closer to the playoffs.
