Curry's Late Heroics Lift Warriors Past Clippers in NBA Play-In

Golden State erases 13-point fourth-quarter deficit to advance to face Suns

Apr. 16, 2026 at 5:09am

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting the chaotic action of a basketball game, with fragmented shapes and overlapping planes of color representing the players, the ball, and the court.Curry's late-game heroics and the Warriors' resilience overcome the Clippers' star power in a thrilling NBA play-in clash.Inglewood Today

Stephen Curry scored 27 of his game-high 35 points in the second half, leading a furious Golden State comeback as the Warriors rallied from a 13-point fourth-quarter deficit to defeat the Los Angeles Clippers 126-121 in an NBA play-in tournament matchup. Al Horford hit four crucial 3-pointers down the stretch to help the Warriors advance, while the Clippers missed the playoffs for the first time since 2022.

Why it matters

The Warriors' victory keeps their postseason hopes alive, as they now advance to face the top-seeded Phoenix Suns on Friday with a chance to earn a spot in the first round of the playoffs. For the Clippers, the loss ends their streak of 15 consecutive winning seasons, the longest active run in the NBA.

The details

Trailing 98-85 with under 10 minutes to play, the Warriors mounted a 16-6 run fueled by Curry's heroics and Horford's timely 3-point shooting to erase the deficit and take the lead late. Curry scored 16 points in a six-minute stretch of the third quarter to keep Golden State in the game, while Horford hit four 3-pointers in the fourth quarter to power the comeback. The Clippers, led by 23 points from Bennedict Mathurin and 21 from Kawhi Leonard, were unable to hold off the Warriors' surge down the stretch.

  • The game was played on Wednesday, April 15, 2026.
  • The Warriors will travel to face the Suns on Friday, April 17, 2026.

The players

Stephen Curry

The 38-year-old Warriors superstar scored a game-high 35 points, including 27 in the second half, to lead Golden State's comeback victory.

Al Horford

The 39-year-old veteran hit four crucial 3-pointers in the fourth quarter to help fuel the Warriors' rally.

Kawhi Leonard

The Clippers' star forward scored 21 points but was held scoreless in the fourth quarter until the final 16 seconds.

Bennedict Mathurin

The Clippers' leading scorer with 23 points in the losing effort.

Darius Garland

The Clippers' point guard had 21 points and 8 assists while battling foul trouble.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee

What’s next

The Warriors will travel to face the top-seeded Phoenix Suns on Friday, April 17, 2026, with the winner advancing to the first round of the playoffs to face the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder.

The takeaway

Stephen Curry and the veteran-laden Warriors proved they still have the clutch gene, rallying from a double-digit fourth-quarter deficit to stun the Clippers and keep their postseason hopes alive. The loss ends Los Angeles' impressive 15-year playoff streak, underscoring the competitive nature of the Western Conference.