On Wednesday, with a 27-point second-half explosion by Stephen Curry, the Warriors vs Clippers provided one of the most dramatic play-in games in recent history, as the team orchestrated a miraculous 126-121 comeback win at Intuit Dome in Inglewood. The Golden State Warriors erased a 13-point fourth-quarter deficit to eliminate the Los Angeles Clippers and advance in the 2026 SoFi NBA Play-In Tournament, proving once again that this team’s postseason hunger cannot be extinguished by age, injury, or a double-digit hole.
Curry Takes Over in the Second Half
The Warriors vs Clippers matchup looked all but decided heading into the fourth quarter, with Los Angeles holding a commanding 98–85 lead with just under ten minutes to play. But Stephen Curry – only five games back from a 27-game absence due to a knee injury – had other ideas. The 38-year-old legend scored 16 points in a blistering six-minute stretch of the third quarter to keep Golden State in the fight, before turning the fourth quarter into a personal masterclass.
His seventh 3-pointer of the night broke a tie with 50.4 seconds remaining, giving the Warriors a lead they would never surrender. Golden State closed the game on a 16–6 run and held Kawhi Leonard scoreless in the fourth quarter until the final 16 seconds of the game.
Horford and the Ageless Warriors Refuse to Fold
The Warriors vs Clippers game featured a remarkable subplot beyond Curry’s heroics: 39-year-old Al Horford knocking down four 3-pointers in the fourth quarter to fuel Golden State’s comeback. His fourth triple gave the Warriors a 117–115 lead with 2:12 remaining. Gui Santos’ layup with 2:45 to play had earlier trimmed the Clippers’ lead to 115–114, setting the stage for Horford’s go-ahead shot. Kristaps Porzingis chipped in with 20 points of his own, and the experience of Draymond Green stabilized the Warriors whenever the Clippers would run away.
This Warriors vs Clippers battle highlighted why Golden State – despite finishing 37–45 in the regular season and losing Jimmy Butler to a season-ending injury in January – remains a legitimate postseason force.
What It Means for Both Teams
This outcome is a bitter ending to the season of Los Angeles in the wider context of the Warriors vs Clippers rivalry. The Clippers, who impressively rallied from a 6–21 start to finish 42–40, miss the playoffs for the first time since 2022. Two late-season losses to the Portland Trail Blazers proved catastrophic, dropping them to the No. 9 seed and forcing them to need two consecutive play-in wins to advance – a margin that proved just too steep against a Warriors team playing their best basketball.
For the Clippers, Bennedict Mathurin led with 23 points, while Kawhi Leonard and Darius Garland each added 21. Golden State now travels to face the Phoenix Suns on Friday, with the winner of that game advancing to face defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder in the first round of the NBA Playoffs.
FAQs
Who won the Warriors vs Clippers Play-In game on April 16, 2026?
The Golden State Warriors won the Warriors vs Clippers Play-In game 126–121, advancing on the back of Stephen Curry’s 35-point performance and a stunning 16–6 closing run.
Who were the standout performers in the Warriors vs Clippers game?
Stephen Curry led all scorers with 35 points, including 27 in the second half and seven 3-pointers. Al Horford hit four clutch 3-pointers in the fourth quarter, and Kristaps Porzingis contributed 20 points. For the Clippers, Bennedict Mathurin led with 23 points, while Kawhi Leonard and Darius Garland each added 21.
What happens next for the Warriors after the Warriors vs Clippers game?
Golden State travels to face the Phoenix Suns on Friday. A win there sends the Warriors into a first-round playoff series against the Oklahoma City Thunder, the reigning NBA champions.
Why did the Clippers need two Play-In wins to reach the playoffs?
Two late-season losses to Portland dropped the Clippers to the No. 9 seed. Under Play-In rules, the 9-seed must win twice to advance, leaving no room for error – and the Warriors vs Clippers game proved to be one bridge too far for Los Angeles.
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