Stephen Curry’s Second-Half Surge Powers Warriors Past Clippers in Play-In Thriller

In a game defined by dramatic swings and a blistering finish, the Golden State Warriors survived a scare in Inglewood, California, to defeat the LA Clippers 126-121 on Wednesday, April 15. The victory in this NBA Play-In tournament clash—a battle between the West’s 9th and 10th seeds—ends the Clippers’ season and propels Golden State forward in the postseason hunt.

The contest was a tale of two halves for Stephen Curry. Returning from a knee injury just 10 days prior, Curry struggled early, managing only eight points on 2-of-9 shooting during the first two quarters. However, the Hall of Fame guard shifted the entire momentum of the game after the break, scoring 27 of his 35 total points in the second half on 10-of-14 shooting.

For the Clippers, the loss will be remembered as a series of missed opportunities. Los Angeles held a double-digit lead seven different times throughout the evening, yet they could not sustain the advantage as Golden State’s veteran core tightened their grip in the closing minutes.

A Fourth Quarter Fireworks Display

The game reached a fever pitch in the final frame. Golden State caught fire collectively, shooting an efficient 15-of-20 from the field (75%) and 8-of-11 from beyond the arc (72.7%) in the fourth quarter. This offensive explosion fueled an electrifying comeback that left the Clippers searching for answers.

While Curry provided the scoring punch—including the decisive three-pointer in the final minute to take the lead for good—he wasn’t alone in the surge. Al Horford proved pivotal, knocking down four three-pointers during the Warriors’ fourth-quarter run. Earlier in the game, Kristaps Porzingis served as the team’s primary catalyst, acting as the best player on the floor before Curry found his rhythm.

Defensively, Draymond Green played a critical role in the closing stages, locking down Kawhi Leonard during the fourth quarter to stifle the Clippers’ primary scoring threat. Green finished the night with nine points and 35 minutes played, though he struggled with ball security, recording three turnovers.

Clippers Stifled by Foul Trouble and Lack of Depth

Despite the loss, Bennedict Mathurin led the Clippers with 23 points, shooting 7-of-11 from the field and a perfect 4-of-4 from the free-throw line. Jalen Collins contributed nine points and eight rebounds, while Kris Dunn added 10 points in 32 minutes of action.

However, the Clippers’ rotation was hampered by key struggles. Darius Garland spent a significant portion of the game in foul trouble, limiting his impact on the floor. The team’s offensive reliance became predictable, with Brook Lopez ending the night as the second-most frequent field-goal attempt taker for Los Angeles.

The statistical breakdown highlights a game of efficiency versus volume. The Warriors shot 57% from the field (47-83) compared to the Clippers’ 52% (45-86). While the Clippers were perfect from the free-throw line (17-17), they could not overcome Golden State’s 46% accuracy from three-point range.

Note for readers: In the NBA Play-In format, the 9th and 10th seeds compete for the right to move one step closer to a guaranteed playoff spot, making this a high-stakes “win-or-go-home” scenario for the lower seed.

Game Oddities and Personnel Notes

The evening was not without its distractions. NBA referee Ben Taylor was forced to exit the game due to an apparent injury, leaving the officiating crew to manage the high-tension atmosphere of the closing minutes.

Golden State managed the win despite missing Jimmy Butler III and Moses Moody. Curry, who was theoretically on a minutes restriction following his knee injury, ended up logging 36 minutes—the second-highest total on his team.

What’s Next for Golden State

With the Clippers eliminated, the Warriors advance to the next stage of the play-in tournament. Their journey continues this Friday, when they travel to face the Phoenix Suns.

For more updates on the NBA playoffs and play-in results, follow the latest reports via ESPN and Yahoo Sports.

Do you think the Warriors have enough momentum to secure a high seed, or will the injury concerns surrounding Curry catch up to them? Let us know in the comments.