Image Credit: Robert Edwards-Imagn Images

Golden State Warriors to Feature in Play-In Tournament for Second Straight Year after an OT Loss to LA Clippers

The Clippers also made a clean sweep over the Warriors in the regular season series.

Image Credit: Robert Edwards-Imagn Images

The Los Angeles Clippers held their nerves to beat the Golden State Warriors 124-119 in the team’s regular-season finale Sunday. With this win, the Clippers booked their place in the playoff as No. 5 and the Warriors will now feature in the Play-In tournament for the second straight year. The Clippers also made a clean sweep over the Warriors in the regular season series.

As expected, it was a thrilling encounter between two Western Conference powerhouses. Both teams finished at 111 points after four quarters and the Clippers outscored the Warriors 13-8 in the overtime to confirm a playoff date with the Denver Nuggets, who squeezed past the Rockets 126-111 in another encounter.

With the win vs. GSW, the Clippers clinch the 5-seed in the Western Conference of the #NBAPlayoffs presented by Google!

The Clippers will take on the 4-seed Nuggets in Round 1. pic.twitter.com/6iYFVXp7mp
— NBA (@NBA) April 13, 2025

Also Read: Oklahoma City Thunder’s Scoring Dominance Shines Over the Past 16 Years!

James Harden spoils Butler-Curry show in overtime

James Harden made all the difference in the overtime as the All-Star dropped consecutive 3-pointers and a pair of free throws. Leonard, who missed a free throw with 6.1 seconds left, made the next. Still, the Warriors had an opportunity to tie the game but Buddy Hield missed a 3-point shot.

James Harden scored 39 points and 10 assists, while Kawhi Leonard added 33 for the Clippers. Ivica Zubac finished with 22 points and 17 rebounds. The Clippers’ eight-game winning streak is currently the joint-best in the NBA heading to the playoffs. Los Angeles dropped only three games in their previous 21 and reached the playoffs for the third straight year.

Stephen Curry led Golden State with 36 points and Jimmy Butler dropped 30 points and nine assists. The Warriors outplayed the Clippers 33-25 in the opening quarter. However, a second-quarter surge helped Los Angeles to take a two-point lead at halftime. The Warriors regained the lead in the third and it was a cracking contest till the end.

Warriors took the foul to give that eliminated their chance at a last shot, but Draymond Green gets the stop on Kawhi Leonard to force OT pic.twitter.com/eEygwssx9h
— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) April 13, 2025

Stephen Curry’s three-pointer with 1:56 left in the game helped the Warriors to take a 111-107 lead but the Clippers scored four straight points to tie the game with 56 seconds to play. Leonard missed a pullup shot at the buzzer and the match moved into overtime.

What’s next for the Warriors and the Clippers?

Los Angeles Clippers made a sweep in the four-game season series against the Warriors and extended their winning streak to seven games. It was their third straight win against Golden State at Chase Center. The Clippers will now face the Denver Nuggets in the first-round playoff fixture. The Nuggets clinched the fourth seed after beating the Rockets in a do-die game.

On the other hand, the Warriors lost for the third time out of six when their playoff fate came down to the final day of the NBA regular season. Golden State will now feature in the Play-In tournament for the second straight season. Steve Kerr’s side will now take on the Memphis Grizzlies in the Play-In matchup for the seventh seed. The winner of this game will take on No. 2 seed Houston Rockets in the playoffs.

Image Credit: Robert Edwards-Imagn Images

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A native of Jaipur, Rajasthan, journalist, and a complete soccer and basketball fan, he found the huge interest with basketball by watching videos of Allen Iverson and Tony Parker, but fell head over heels in love with the sport during the Warriors’ championship era (2015-2018). A sports game addict since his late PS1, he’s also passionate about the Eagles, Inter Miami and the Fever. He’s fortunate to have seen all his favorite teams win championships. He also has a special love for cricket and football (soccer), where he is a fan of Royal Challengers Bangalore and Barcelona.