BY EMMANUEL OGBONNA
A vintage second-half explosion from Stephen Curry propelled the Golden State Warriors to a dramatic 126-121 comeback victory over the Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday night, keeping their postseason hopes alive in a high-stakes play-in tournament clash.
Curry delivered 35 points in total, but it was his dominant performance after halftime that defined the contest. The veteran guard poured in 27 points in the second half, orchestrating a relentless rally that saw Golden State erase a double-digit deficit and seize control in the closing moments.
The turning point came in the final minute when Curry knocked down his seventh three-pointer of the night, breaking a tie with just over 50 seconds remaining and sending the Warriors ahead for good. His late-game composure capped a remarkable resurgence for a team that had trailed by as many as 13 points in the fourth quarter.
Golden State closed the game on a decisive 16-6 run, combining timely shooting with disciplined defense. The Clippers, who had maintained control for much of the second half, faltered under pressure, with Kawhi Leonard held scoreless throughout the fourth quarter until the final seconds.
The comeback highlighted the experience and resilience of a Warriors core that includes Curry and Draymond Green, both of whom have been central figures in multiple championship runs. Despite a challenging regular season that ended with a 37-45 record, the team now finds itself one win away from securing a playoff berth.
Golden State will next travel to face Phoenix in a win-or-go-home matchup, with the victor advancing to meet the defending champions, the Oklahoma City Thunder, in the first round.
For the Clippers, the loss marked a disappointing end to a season that had once appeared promising. It is the franchise’s first playoff absence since 2022 and only the third time in a 15-year stretch of winning seasons that they have failed to advance.
Bennedict Mathurin led Los Angeles with 23 points, while Darius Garland added 21 points and eight assists despite dealing with foul trouble. Leonard contributed 21 points overall but struggled to influence the game when it mattered most.
The Clippers appeared in firm control midway through the fourth quarter, holding a 98-85 lead with under 10 minutes remaining. However, the momentum shifted rapidly as Golden State mounted a furious comeback, fueled by perimeter shooting and defensive stops.
Veteran forward Al Horford played a pivotal role in the turnaround, connecting on four three-pointers, including several in the closing stretch that swung the game’s balance. His shooting, combined with Curry’s shot-making brilliance, proved decisive.
Kristaps Porzingis added 20 points for Golden State, providing a steady interior presence, while Gui Santos contributed a crucial late layup that cut the deficit to a single point and intensified the pressure on Los Angeles.
Curry’s resurgence was particularly notable given his recent return from injury. The 38-year-old guard had missed 27 games with a knee issue and had only been back for five contests prior to this matchup. After a quiet first half in which he scored just eight points on limited efficiency, he erupted in the third quarter, scoring 16 points in a six-minute span to keep the Warriors within striking distance.
The Clippers, meanwhile, saw their season end despite a strong late push. After stumbling to a 6-21 start earlier in the campaign, they rallied to finish 42-40, extending what had been the league’s longest active streak of winning seasons. However, late losses to Portland proved costly, dropping them to the ninth seed and forcing them into a more difficult play-in path that ultimately led to their elimination.
The game also saw an unusual officiating change, as referee Ben Taylor exited shortly after halftime due to injury and was replaced by alternate official Sean Corbin.
For Golden State, the victory reinforced a familiar narrative: a battle-tested team, led by one of the league’s most prolific scorers, remains dangerous regardless of seeding or regular-season struggles. With momentum on their side and the postseason within reach, the Warriors have positioned themselves for another potential deep run, defying expectations once again.
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