Curry on minutes restriction in Warriors' must-win play-in

Golden State's aging stars will be limited in high-stakes matchup with Clippers

Apr. 14, 2026 at 1:09pm

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A fractured, multi-perspective painting in a cubist style, breaking down a basketball game into sharp, overlapping geometric planes of royal blue, golden yellow, and crimson red, with the players' forms abstracted into angular, intersecting shapes.An abstract, cubist-inspired illustration captures the high-stakes tension of the Warriors-Clippers play-in matchup, with the teams' star players reduced to fragmented geometric forms.Los Angeles Today

Stephen Curry is one of three Golden State Warriors players, along with Kristaps Porzingis and Al Horford, who will be on a minutes restriction in the team's play-in game against the Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday. The Warriors clinched the last of four play-in berths at 37-45, and head coach Steve Kerr said the team is trying to manage the minutes of its aging superstars.

Why it matters

The Warriors are facing a must-win play-in game against the Clippers, and limiting the minutes of their key players like Curry, Porzingis, and Horford could impact their chances of advancing. Curry has been dealing with knee injuries most of the season, while Horford and Porzingis have been nursing other injuries, so managing their workload is crucial.

The details

In the regular-season finale on Sunday, the Clippers defeated the Warriors 115-110. If the Warriors lose the play-in game, their season will come to an end. Kerr has been vocal about the need for the NBA to adopt a shorter regular-season schedule to prevent such injuries, saying the league should take 10 games off the schedule.

  • The play-in game between the Warriors and Clippers will take place on Wednesday, April 14, 2026.
  • Curry, Porzingis, and Horford will all play fewer than 40 minutes in the must-win game.

The players

Stephen Curry

The star point guard of the Golden State Warriors, who has been dealing with knee injuries for most of the season.

Kristaps Porzingis

A key player for the Warriors who has been nursing a sore back.

Al Horford

The veteran center for the Warriors who has been dealing with a calf injury.

Steve Kerr

The head coach of the Golden State Warriors, who has been vocal about the need for a shorter NBA regular-season schedule to prevent injuries.

Kawhi Leonard

The star forward for the Los Angeles Clippers, who rested for the final games of the season in preparation for the play-in.

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What they’re saying

“I know this will not be a popular opinion in the league office, but I will continue to say it because it's obvious we need to play fewer games -- we need to take 10 games off the schedule. I think it would be a more competitive and healthier league if we played fewer games.”

— Steve Kerr, Head Coach, Golden State Warriors

What’s next

The winner of the play-in game between the Warriors and Clippers will advance to the first round of the NBA playoffs.

The takeaway

The Warriors' decision to limit the minutes of their aging stars like Curry, Porzingis, and Horford in the must-win play-in game against the Clippers highlights the ongoing debate about the NBA's grueling regular-season schedule and its impact on player health. Kerr's calls for a shorter schedule could gain more traction if the Warriors' season ends prematurely due to injuries.