SAN FRANCISCO — In a thrilling matchup at Chase Center on Sunday afternoon, the No. 6 seed was within reach for the Golden State Warriors. However, two seasoned adversaries of the Warriors, Kawhi Leonard and James Harden, thwarted their playoff aspirations, leading to a heartbreaking 124-119 overtime defeat. This loss has now sent Golden State into the NBA play-in tournament.
Kawhi Leonard, who famously led the Toronto Raptors to victory over the Warriors in the 2019 NBA Finals, displayed his elite skills with a stunning performance, scoring 33 points through a mix of mid-range jumpers and powerful drives. Meanwhile, James Harden, a long-time rival from his days with the Houston Rockets, contributed significantly in overtime, adding 12 points to seal the game for the Los Angeles Clippers.
With the Timberwolves, Grizzlies, and Nuggets all securing victories on the same day, the Warriors now find themselves as the seventh seed with a record of 48-34. They are scheduled to face the Memphis Grizzlies in a crucial play-in game on Tuesday night. “We’ve got to turn the page quickly and move on to that game,” noted coach Steve Kerr.
In a nail-biting finish, the Warriors held a 111-107 lead with just two minutes left in regulation but could not maintain their advantage after previously squandering a double-digit lead in the second quarter. Star player Steph Curry put up an impressive 36 points but struggled with eight turnovers. Jimmy Butler also shone for the Clippers, contributing 30 points, while rookie Brandin Podziemski added 19 for Golden State. Harden led the Clippers with an outstanding 39 points.
Curry attempted to carry the Warriors to a playoff berth with a remarkable 18 points in the fourth quarter, which included three pivotal three-pointers. However, a costly turnover with 32 seconds remaining prevented Golden State from breaking the tie. Leonard's missed mid-range shot at the buzzer sent the game into overtime.
Even after falling behind early in the extra period, the Warriors fought back. Key contributions from Curry, Draymond Green, and Butler brought the score to 121-119 with just 50 seconds left. Green's defensive prowess forced Leonard to turn the ball over, opening an opportunity for a tying layup. Unfortunately, Green missed the crucial shot, reflecting on the moment, “Gary Payton made the play in the post, and Jimmy in the pocket, and I smoked it.”
As the drama unfolded, Leonard missed one of two free throws, giving the Warriors another chance to tie the game. However, Buddy Hield missed a potential game-tying three-pointer, and Harden sealed the victory for the Clippers from the free-throw line.
The dramatic end to the game left the Warriors battered and bruised. Butler sustained an injury late in the match, favoring his left leg after taking a knee to his quad while challenging a shot in overtime. Despite the pain, he remained on the court until the final buzzer. Green also faced a scare in the first quarter when he appeared to injure his neck after diving for a loose ball but returned shortly after.
Golden State began the game strong, finishing the first quarter on a 13-1 run to lead 33-25. Butler was instrumental in this early success, scoring 10 points in the first quarter, including six in the final 75 seconds. The Warriors extended their lead to 39-25 at the start of the second quarter, thanks to solid defensive efforts from Moses Moody, who effectively guarded Leonard, Powell, and Harden.
The Clippers responded with a 16-4 run, flipping the momentum and taking a 49-48 lead on a floater from Harden. Curry managed to regain the lead for the Warriors with a fading three-pointer, but a buzzer-beater from Powell sent the Clippers into halftime ahead 60-58. The game continued to be tightly contested, with both teams trading leads throughout the second half.
As the Warriors look ahead to their critical matchup against the Grizzlies, Coach Kerr emphasized, “If we can take care of business, then we’ll have four or five days before the first playoff game.” The upcoming play-in game is crucial for Golden State as they strive to secure their spot in the playoffs.
