- The Masterclass: Stephen Curry exploded for 35 points, shooting 7-of-12 from deep to eliminate the Clippers 126-121.
- The Clutch Factor: The Warriors trailed by 9 in the fourth before Curry scored 12 straight points to seal the victory.
- The Stakes: Golden State travels to Phoenix tonight, April 17, for a do-or-die battle against the Suns for the final playoff spot.
SAN FRANCISCO — Stephen Curry didn’t just find the bottom of the net; he broke the Clippers’ spirit. In a high-octane 126-121 thriller at Chase Center, the 38-year-old legend reminded the world why he remains the league’s most dangerous weapon. With the season on the line, Curry buried seven three-pointers, including a 30-foot fallback that sent the home crowd into a frenzy.
The Takeover: Curry Silences the Critics
The Warriors looked vulnerable early. L.A. exploited the paint, building an 11-point lead behind a dominant interior performance. But the momentum shifted the moment Curry checked back in for the fourth quarter. He operated with surgical precision, dissecting the Clippers’ perimeter defense. Golden State shot 48% from beyond the arc, largely thanks to the spacing Curry’s gravity provided.
Jonathan Kuminga added 22 points, while Gui Santos provided a vital 14 points off the bench. Yet, the story was No. 30. His 35-point outburst is his highest in a Play-In game, proving the Warriors’ dynasty isn’t ready to fade into the sunset just yet.
| Player | Points | 3PM-A | Assists | +/- |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stephen Curry (GSW) | 35 | 7-12 | 4 | +14 |
| Jonathan Kuminga (GSW) | 22 | 2-4 | 6 | +8 |
| James Harden (LAC) | 26 | 4-10 | 11 | -5 |
What They Said
“I just saw the rim. In those moments, you don’t think about the stakes. You think about the work you put in. We weren’t going home tonight.”
— Stephen Curry, Warriors Guard
“When Steph gets that look in his eyes, my job is easy. Just get him the ball and get out of the way. He’s the greatest for a reason.”
— Steve Kerr, Warriors Head Coach
Winner-Take-All: Destination Phoenix
The celebration was short-lived. The Warriors boarded a flight to Arizona immediately after the game. They face a rested Phoenix Suns squad tonight at 10 p.m. ET. The winner claims the No. 8 seed and a first-round date with the top-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder. The loser goes home.
Phoenix won the season series 3-2, but they haven’t faced this version of Curry. If the Warriors can maintain this defensive intensity—forcing 15 turnovers against L.A.—they have a legitimate chance to pull the upset in the desert. Expect a heavy dose of Draymond Green on Kevin Durant as Golden State tries to stifle the Suns’ high-powered offense.
