Clippers Defeat Warriors in Playoff Push

LA Clippers secure key home win over struggling Golden State Warriors

Apr. 12, 2026 at 3:07am

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A cubist-style painting depicting a basketball game between the Golden State Warriors and LA Clippers, with the players and court broken down into sharp, overlapping geometric shapes in a vibrant color palette.The Clippers' victory over the Warriors showcases the intense competition and strategic complexity of late-season NBA matchups.Inglewood Today

The LA Clippers defeated the Golden State Warriors 114-108 in a crucial late-season NBA matchup at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California. The Clippers, still fighting for a playoff spot, were led by strong performances from Kawhi Leonard and Darius Garland, while the Warriors continued their recent slide despite a solid game from Stephen Curry.

Why it matters

This win keeps the Clippers in the hunt for a playoff berth in the Western Conference, while the Warriors' struggles continue as they look ahead to the postseason. The game featured two of the league's top teams battling for important late-season positioning.

The details

The Clippers jumped out to an early lead and held off a late Warriors surge to secure the victory. Leonard scored a game-high 28 points and grabbed 6 rebounds, while Garland added 22 points and 3 assists. For the Warriors, Curry led the way with 27 points and 5 assists, but the team's recent woes continued as they dropped their 11th game in the last 15.

  • The game was played on Sunday, April 12, 2026 at 8:30 PM EDT.
  • The Clippers have won 7 of their last 11 games, while the Warriors have lost 24 of their last 34.

The players

Kawhi Leonard

All-Star forward for the LA Clippers, averaging 28.3 points and 6.3 rebounds per game this season.

Darius Garland

Starting point guard for the LA Clippers, averaging 21.8 points and 2.3 assists per game.

Stephen Curry

Superstar point guard for the Golden State Warriors, averaging 27 points and 4.8 assists per game.

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What they’re saying

“We knew this was a big game for us in the playoff race, so we came out with a lot of energy and focus. Kawhi and Darius really set the tone for us tonight.”

— Tyronn Lue, Head Coach, LA Clippers

“We just couldn't get it going tonight. Steph played well, but we needed more contributions from the rest of the guys. We'll regroup and get ready for the postseason.”

— Steve Kerr, Head Coach, Golden State Warriors

What’s next

The Clippers will look to build on this win as they continue their push for a playoff spot, while the Warriors will try to get healthy and regain their form ahead of the postseason.

The takeaway

This game highlighted the Clippers' determination to make the playoffs and the Warriors' recent struggles, with both teams needing to find their rhythm as the season winds down. The Clippers' victory keeps them in the hunt, while the Warriors' loss is another setback in their quest to defend their championship.