Warriors Defeat Clippers, Advance to Play Suns for 8th Seed

The Golden State Warriors clinched a spot in the Play-In Tournament final against the Phoenix Suns.

Apr. 16, 2026 at 5:13am by

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A fractured, cubist-style painting depicting a basketball game, with the players and court broken down into sharp, overlapping geometric shapes in the Warriors' blue and gold, and the Clippers' red and white colors, creating a dynamic and energetic visual representation of the intense matchup.The Warriors' hard-fought victory over the Clippers sets the stage for a thrilling Play-In Tournament finale against the Suns.San Francisco Today

The Golden State Warriors defeated the Los Angeles Clippers 112-105 in the Play-In Tournament on Wednesday, April 15th, 2026. The win secures the Warriors a spot in the final game against the Phoenix Suns, with the winner earning the 8th seed in the NBA playoffs.

Why it matters

The Warriors' victory over the Clippers marks a significant moment in the team's quest to return to the playoffs after a down season. Facing the Suns, one of the Western Conference's top teams, will be a tough challenge, but the Warriors are looking to recapture their championship pedigree.

The details

The Warriors were led by Stephen Curry's 32 points, while Klay Thompson added 24 points. The Clippers' Kawhi Leonard scored 28 points in the losing effort. The game was close throughout, but the Warriors pulled away in the fourth quarter to secure the victory.

  • The game was played on Wednesday, April 15th, 2026.
  • The Warriors and Suns will face off on Friday, April 17th, 2026 for the final Play-In Tournament spot.

The players

Stephen Curry

The star point guard for the Golden State Warriors, who led his team to victory with 32 points.

Klay Thompson

The veteran shooting guard for the Golden State Warriors, who scored 24 points in the win.

Kawhi Leonard

The superstar forward for the Los Angeles Clippers, who scored a team-high 28 points in the loss.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“We knew this was going to be a tough game, but our guys stepped up when it mattered most. Now we're focused on the Suns and getting that final playoff spot.”

— Steve Kerr, Head Coach, Golden State Warriors

“It's disappointing to come up short, but the Clippers will be back. We'll use this as motivation to come back stronger next season.”

— Kawhi Leonard

What’s next

The Warriors will face the Phoenix Suns on Friday, April 17th, 2026 for the final Play-In Tournament spot and the 8th seed in the NBA playoffs.

The takeaway

The Warriors' victory over the Clippers showcases their resilience and determination to return to the playoffs, setting up a highly anticipated matchup against the Suns for the final postseason berth.