Clippers Make NBA History With Winning Record After Slow Start

Los Angeles beats Warriors to finish regular season above .500 despite early-season struggles.

Apr. 13, 2026 at 2:05pm

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The Los Angeles Clippers defeated the Golden State Warriors 115-110 on Sunday to finish the regular season with a 42-40 record, becoming the first team in NBA history to be 15 or more games below .500 and still end up with a winning record. The Clippers were led by Bennedict Mathurin's 20 points off the bench, while John Collins, Bogdan Bogdanovic, and Darius Garland also scored in double figures. The win sets up a quick rematch between the Clippers and Warriors in the Play-In Tournament on Wednesday.

Why it matters

The Clippers' remarkable turnaround from a 6-21 start to the season to finish above .500 is an impressive feat, showcasing the team's resilience and ability to bounce back from adversity. This achievement also highlights the parity in the NBA, where even teams that struggle early can still make a playoff push.

The details

The Clippers rested star Kawhi Leonard for Sunday's game, but still managed to defeat the Warriors behind a balanced scoring effort. Six Clippers players scored in double digits, led by Mathurin's 20 points off the bench. The win gives the Clippers a 42-40 record on the season, the first time in NBA history a team has finished above .500 after being 15 or more games below that mark earlier in the year.

  • The Clippers and Warriors will have a rematch in the Play-In Tournament on Wednesday, April 16, 2026.
  • The Clippers began the season with a 6-21 record before turning things around.

The players

Bennedict Mathurin

A Clippers player who scored a team-high 20 points off the bench in the win over the Warriors.

John Collins

A Clippers player who scored 18 points on 8-of-12 shooting in the win over the Warriors.

Bogdan Bogdanovic

A Clippers player who scored 17 points in the win over the Warriors.

Darius Garland

A Clippers player who scored 15 points in the win over the Warriors.

Kawhi Leonard

The Clippers' star player who rested for Sunday's game against the Warriors.

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What they’re saying

“The LA Clippers have become the first team in NBA history to be 15+ games below .500 and finish the season with a winning record. With tonight's win over the Warriors, the Clippers officially finish the year 42-40.”

— Brett Siegel, ClutchPoints Reporter

What’s next

The Clippers and Warriors will have a quick rematch in the Play-In Tournament on Wednesday, April 16, 2026, with the winner advancing to the first round of the playoffs.

The takeaway

The Clippers' remarkable turnaround from a disastrous start to the season to finish above .500 is a testament to the team's resilience and ability to overcome adversity. This historic achievement showcases the parity in the NBA and the potential for any team to make a playoff push, even after struggling early on.