Clippers, Warriors Battle Injuries in Playoff Push

Two Western Conference rivals clash as they fight for postseason positioning

Mar. 2, 2026 at 3:39pm

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The Los Angeles Clippers and Golden State Warriors, both battling injuries, will face off in a crucial NBA matchup as they jockey for playoff positioning in the Western Conference. The Clippers are coming off a blowout win over the Pelicans, while the Warriors will be without several key players, including star guard Stephen Curry, who is still recovering from a knee injury.

Why it matters

This game could have major implications for the NBA playoff race, as the Clippers and Warriors are separated by just 2.5 games in the standings. The winner will gain an important tiebreaker and potentially improve their chances of securing a playoff spot or a higher seed.

The details

The Clippers and Warriors have split their two previous meetings this season, with each team winning on its home court. The Clippers are expected to debut newly acquired guard Darius Garland, while the Warriors will be without Curry, Jimmy Butler, and Kristaps Porzingis due to injuries. Both teams have been alternating wins and losses in their recent games, making this matchup even more crucial.

  • The Clippers and Warriors will face off on Monday, March 2, 2026.
  • Curry has missed the last 11 games and is not expected to return until at least next week.

The players

Kawhi Leonard

A star forward for the Los Angeles Clippers and a key reason Darius Garland wanted to join the team.

Stephen Curry

The star guard for the Golden State Warriors who is currently sidelined with a knee injury.

Darius Garland

A newly acquired guard for the Los Angeles Clippers who is expected to make his debut in this game.

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What they’re saying

“When it first happened, I was kind of skeptical. But I couldn't turn down this opportunity to play with another Hall of Famer (Leonard) and having a ball in my hands damn near 99% of the time.”

— Darius Garland

“It's just about each day. Can you stack good days? And I've done that. So, hopefully, they can unleash me on the court sooner than later.”

— Stephen Curry

What’s next

Curry is scheduled for another check-up on his injured knee next week, which will determine if he can return to the Warriors' lineup soon.

The takeaway

This game between the Clippers and Warriors is a crucial one in the Western Conference playoff race, with both teams dealing with key injuries. The winner will gain an important tiebreaker and improve their chances of securing a postseason berth or higher seed.