LA Clippers narrowly defeat Golden State Warriors in overtime to secure playoff spot; Warriors fall to play-in

With playoff positions at stake for both teams, this game was a tough battle throughout. 

But only one team could walk away with the win, and that was the LA Clippers, who outlasted lots of back and forth between them and the Golden State Warriors. The final score reflected this, with the Clippers defeating the Warriors 124-119 in overtime.  

Both of these teams are in the Western Conference, which has been competitive all season. This did not change near the end of the season, with this game – and others – helping determine final playoff positions. 

Due to the results of the other influential games, the winner of this game would secure their playoff spot, also earning almost a week off before their first playoff game. Meanwhile, the loser would fall to the play-in tournament. 

The Clippers secured the No. 5 spot and are facing the Denver Nuggets, and the Warriors are the No. 7 seed, facing the Memphis Grizzlies in the play-in, because of the results.

The Clippers ultimately secured a playoff spot behind a 39-point night from James Harden and a 33-point night from Kawhi Leonard. Ivica Zubac also had 22 points.

Leonard was dominant throughout regulation, but it was not enough to give them a clear advantage. The Warriors started off strong with Brandin Podziemski scoring the first four points for them, who finished with 19.

And although Leonard, Harden and Zubac started off strong for the Clippers – scoring 21 of the team’s 25 first quarter points – Jimmy Butler was not deemed “Jimmy G. Buckets’’ with the “G” standing for “gets’’ by Bulls commentator Stacey King for nothing. 

Butler was unstoppable, driving to the basket with ease and knocking down free throws. He finished the game with 30 points. The Clippers appeared unable to stop Butler from getting to the rim, which helped him score 10 points in the first quarter. 

The Warriors also stepped up defensively, getting stops and turning them into points throughout the game. They forced the Clippers into 16 turnovers, scoring 23 points off of them. It also helped them to 14 fast break points. Playing fast was key for the Warriors’ offense. 

Yet, the Clippers were not going to let the Warriors run away with the game. Defensively, the teams were comparable, with the Clippers forcing the Warriors into 16 turnovers for 20 points. The Clippers also out-rebounded the Warriors 42-25, with an 11 rebound advantage on the defensive glass. 

Leonard also really found his offensive spark in the second quarter, scoring 10 points by knocking down threes and getting looks in the paint. 

With five other guys also scoring in the frame, the Clippers were able to outscore the Warriors 35-25, limiting the Warriors’ defensive success. The Clippers, though, only had a two-point lead heading into the second half. 

The Clippers also failed to find enough momentum to pull away in the third quarter, only leading by one at the end of it. 

Both teams had a similar offensive showing in the quarter. The Clippers scored 23 points and the Warriors scored 24. The Clippers and Warriors were both getting stops and having success in the paint. Each team also knocked down two three-pointers. 

This competitiveness carried over into the fourth quarter, with Curry scoring 18 of his 36 points in the fourth – with nine of those 18 off of three-pointers – and the Clippers getting 14 points from Leonard and Harden. 

And with 56.1 seconds left, the game was tied at 111, and the Warriors had the ball. 

The Warriors missed their chance to take the lead with a Curry turnover. The Clippers also failed to take the lead, with Leonard missing the game-winning jumper. 

But with Harden scoring 12 of the Clippers’ 13 overtime points and their defense being able to hold the Warriors to eight points, the Clippers walked away with the hard-fought win.