Curry's Stellar Second Half Powers Warriors Past Clippers in Play-In Thriller
Stephen Curry showcased his brilliance by scoring 27 of his 35 points in the second half, leading the Golden State Warriors to a 126-121 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers in the NBA play-in tournament on Wednesday night. The Warriors, who entered the game as the 10th seed, overcame a 13-point deficit in the fourth quarter, finishing on a 16-6 run. Curry's pivotal seventh 3-pointer broke a tie with just 50.4 seconds remaining. His performance, alongside contributions from Al Horford, who hit four 3-pointers, and Draymond Green, propelled Golden State to a crucial win, keeping their playoff hopes alive despite a 37-45 regular season record and the loss of Jimmy Butler for the season. The Warriors now prepare to face the Phoenix Suns on Friday, with the winner advancing to meet the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder in the first round. For the Clippers, Kawhi Leonard scored 21 points, but they missed the playoffs for the first time since 2022. Bennedict Mathurin led Los Angeles with 23 points, while Darius Garland contributed 21 points and eight assists despite foul trouble. After trailing 98-85 with under ten minutes left, the Warriors' comeback was fueled by Curry's explosive scoring and Horford's timely shooting. Gui Santos' layup cut the Clippers' lead to 115-114, and Horford's fourth 3-pointer gave Golden State a 117-115 advantage with 2:12 remaining, sealing their spot in the next round.
Source: Sky Sports - 2026-04-16