Warriors fall to Clippers in preview of NBA play-in matchup

Steph Curry scores 24 points as Warriors rest key players ahead of high-stakes rematch

Apr. 13, 2026 at 3:28am

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a basketball game between the Golden State Warriors and Los Angeles Clippers. The players' forms are fragmented and abstracted into overlapping planes of color and shape, capturing the intensity and dynamism of the sport.The high-stakes rematch between the Warriors and Clippers will showcase the raw energy and competitive spirit of the NBA play-in tournament.Inglewood Today

The Golden State Warriors fell to the Los Angeles Clippers 115-110 in the regular season finale, a game that served as a preview for their upcoming play-in tournament matchup. With both teams resting key players like Kawhi Leonard and Draymond Green, the game lacked intensity as the teams prepare to meet again on Wednesday with a playoff spot on the line.

Why it matters

The Warriors and Clippers will face off in a high-stakes play-in tournament game on Wednesday, with the winner advancing to the NBA playoffs. Sunday's regular season finale provided a glimpse of the matchup, but both teams held back their top players to avoid showing their full hand before the rematch.

The details

The Warriors were led by Steph Curry's 24 points in 29 minutes of action, as he continues to work his way back from a knee injury. Without Draymond Green, the Warriors started Kristaps Porzingis and Al Horford alongside Curry. Porzingis struggled, missing all four of his 3-point attempts, while Horford had a quiet five-point game. The Clippers were paced by a strong performance from Charles Bassey, who scored 16 points.

  • The Warriors and Clippers will meet again on Wednesday, April 17, 2026 in the NBA play-in tournament.
  • Sunday's regular season finale between the teams took place on April 13, 2026.

The players

Steph Curry

The Warriors' star point guard, who scored 24 points in 29 minutes as he continues to work his way back from a knee injury.

Kawhi Leonard

The Clippers' star forward, who was ruled out of Sunday's game due to an ankle injury but is expected to return for the play-in tournament matchup.

Draymond Green

The Warriors' veteran forward, who was also held out of Sunday's game due to a back injury but is expected to play in the rematch.

Charles Bassey

The Clippers' center, who scored 16 points and outperformed the Warriors' big men Kristaps Porzingis and Al Horford.

Steve Kerr

The Warriors' head coach, who acknowledged that Sunday's game lacked intensity as both teams rested players ahead of their high-stakes play-in tournament matchup.

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What they’re saying

“Wednesday will be much different, for sure.”

— Steve Kerr, Warriors Head Coach

“We know we're going to have to put together a good four quarters on Wednesday. Tonight [was] another chance to make a step in that direction. But again, it's different. It's a different feeling when the result doesn't matter.”

— Steve Kerr, Warriors Head Coach

What’s next

The winner of Wednesday's play-in tournament matchup between the Warriors and Clippers will advance to the first round of the NBA playoffs, where they will face the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder.

The takeaway

While Sunday's regular season finale provided a preview of the upcoming Warriors-Clippers play-in tournament game, both teams held back their top players and treated the contest as more of a tuneup than a high-stakes affair. The real drama will unfold on Wednesday, when the two teams meet again with a playoff spot on the line.