The Golden State Warriors were down 13 points in the fourth quarter of a must-win game on Wednesday night, their season on the brink at Intuit Dome. Then Stephen Curry reminded everyone why this team is never truly out of it.
Curry delivered a masterclass when it mattered most, scoring 35 points on 12-of-23 shooting with seven three-pointers to lead the Warriors to a thrilling 126-121 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers in the NBA play-in tournament. Golden State erased the double-digit deficit with a clutch 16-6 closing run, advancing to face the Phoenix Suns on Friday. One more win, and a first-round playoff series against the Oklahoma City Thunder awaits.
For a squad that limped through a 37-45 regular season and suffered the season-ending loss of Jimmy Butler in January, this comeback was pure Warriors basketball — resilient, dramatic, and fueled by their timeless superstar.
Curry Delivers When It Matters Most
The first half was a struggle. Curry managed just eight points on 2-of-9 shooting as the Clippers built momentum and took a 61-53 lead into halftime. Kawhi Leonard looked unstoppable, Golden State’s offense was stagnant, and the deficit felt more imposing than the scoreboard indicated.
But Curry flipped the script in signature fashion. He exploded for 16 points in a six-minute span of the third quarter, draining three three-pointers and single-handedly keeping the Warriors within striking distance. That burst ensured Golden State entered the fourth quarter with belief intact, even as the Clippers led 98-85 with under ten minutes remaining.
What followed was vintage Curry. Al Horford knocked down three consecutive three-pointers to ignite the comeback. Gui Santos’ layup cut the lead to one, and Horford’s fourth three of the quarter gave the Warriors a 117-115 lead with just over two minutes left. After the Clippers tied it at 117, Curry stepped back from 29 feet and buried the go-ahead triple with 50.4 seconds remaining. He turned, roared in celebration, and silenced the building as Los Angeles called timeout. Golden State held firm from there to extend their season.
Porzingis and Horford Deliver
Curry was the headline, but he had critical support. Kristaps Porzingis turned in his finest performance in a Warriors uniform, posting 20 points, five rebounds, and five assists on efficient 8-of-12 shooting in 28 minutes. After recent shooting inconsistencies and conditioning concerns, this outing validated the vision Golden State had when they acquired him before the trade deadline.
At 39 years old, Al Horford was remarkable down the stretch. His four fourth-quarter three-pointers accounted for 14 points and proved the difference in the victory. Brandin Podziemski contributed 17 points, while Draymond Green added seven points, nine assists, and four steals, locking down Leonard and holding him scoreless in the fourth until the final 16 seconds.
The Clippers received 23 points from Bennedict Mathurin and 21 apiece from Leonard and Darius Garland, yet they couldn’t protect a lead that appeared safe with ten minutes to play. The loss marks their first missed postseason since 2022.
Final Word for the Warriors
This team was written off before tip-off. Down 13 in the fourth quarter, they looked finished again. None of it mattered.
Steph Curry is back on the postseason stage, and the Warriors are alive. Friday’s matchup against Phoenix is next. One more victory, and this improbable run will continue against the defending champions in Oklahoma City.
Nobody is counting them out anymore.