Curry Praises Clippers' Garland Ahead of Play-In Clash

Warriors superstar calls Garland's comments 'surreal' as two elite point guards prepare to square off in high-stakes matchup.

Apr. 14, 2026 at 8:24pm

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A fragmented, cubist-style painting depicting the silhouettes of two basketball players in motion, their forms broken down into sharp, overlapping geometric shapes and planes, conveying the intensity and energy of a high-stakes playoff matchup.Two elite point guards, Steph Curry and Darius Garland, square off in a pivotal play-in tournament clash, their skills and movements fractured into a cubist masterpiece.Los Angeles Today

Golden State Warriors superstar Steph Curry reacted with gratitude to recent comments from Los Angeles Clippers guard Darius Garland, who called Curry a 'top-75 guy' and 'first ballot Hall of Famer' that he's excited to compete against. Curry acknowledged Garland's rapid rise and growth, saying it's 'surreal' to have that kind of influence on younger players in the league.

Why it matters

The upcoming play-in tournament matchup between the Warriors and Clippers already had plenty of storylines, and this latest exchange between the two star point guards adds another layer of intrigue. Curry and Garland represent two generations of elite NBA talent, and their duel on the court will be must-watch television as both teams fight to keep their season alive.

The details

Garland, who was traded from the Cleveland Cavaliers to the Clippers earlier this season, is averaging 18.8 points and 6.7 assists per game. He called it 'super cool' to go up against a 'top-75 guy' and 'first ballot Hall of Famer' like Curry, saying he's 'inspired by' the Warriors superstar. Curry, 38, responded by saying it's 'surreal' to have that kind of influence on younger players in the league, and praised Garland's skillset, composure, and continued growth as a player.

  • The Warriors and Clippers will face off in a win-or-go-home play-in tournament game on Wednesday, April 14, 2026.

The players

Steph Curry

A 38-year-old superstar point guard for the Golden State Warriors and a future first-ballot Hall of Famer.

Darius Garland

A 23-year-old point guard for the Los Angeles Clippers, who was recently traded from the Cleveland Cavaliers and is considered one of the league's rising young stars.

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What they’re saying

“It's pretty cool going against a top-75 guy like that, first ballot Hall of Famer. It will be cool just to compete with a guy like that. The skill and the ability that he has, that affected me and the way that I play.”

— Darius Garland, Clippers Guard

“It's surreal that you're this deep into your career and you have that influence. He was a guy when he first showed up in Cleveland that you knew was gonna be a problem in the league just because of his skillset, his composure, obviously his speed.”

— Steph Curry, Warriors Superstar

What’s next

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

The takeaway

This matchup between Steph Curry and Darius Garland showcases the passing of the torch in the NBA, with a future Hall of Famer recognizing the talent and potential of one of the league's rising young stars. Their duel on the court will be must-see TV as both teams fight to keep their championship aspirations alive.