Andrew Pace
The Los Angeles Clippers and the Golden State Warriors faced off in a thrilling NBA regular-season finale on April 13, 2025, with the Clippers clinching a 124-119 overtime victory. This win secured the 5th seed for the Clippers, while the Warriors dropped to the 7th seed and were sent to the play-in tournament. The game was a battle between star players, with the Clippers' Kawhi Leonard and James Harden combining for 72 points, and the Warriors' Stephen Curry and Jimmy Butler putting up 66 points. With the win, the Clippers extended their winning streak to eight games and dealt a significant blow to the Warriors' playoff aspirations.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of the game | 13th April 2025 |
| Teams | Los Angeles Clippers vs Golden State Warriors |
| Final Score | 124-119 |
| Winner | Los Angeles Clippers |
| Losers | Golden State Warriors |
| Losers' next game | Against Memphis Grizzlies on Tuesday |
| Notable players for Clippers | James Harden, Kawhi Leonard, Ivica Zubac |
| Notable players for Warriors | Stephen Curry, Jimmy Butler III |
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What You'll Learn
Kawhi Leonard and James Harden's performance
The LA Clippers beat the Warriors 124-119 in overtime on the final day of the regular season. This win was largely due to the performances of Kawhi Leonard and James Harden. Leonard, a forward for the Clippers, scored 33 points, had six rebounds, seven assists, and three steals in 47 minutes. He also had a field goal percentage of 13-20 and a three-point percentage of 4-8. This performance solidifies Leonard's return to form, reminiscent of his two-time Finals MVP days.
Harden, the Clippers' guard, scored 39 points, had seven rebounds, 10 assists, two blocks, and two steals in 48 minutes. He also made two big three-pointers at the start of overtime, helping the Clippers secure their win. In a post-game interview with ESPN, Harden commented, "We're a good team, and we're excited to show the world, but we're a good team."
In the previous game against the Nuggets, Harden had 20 points, six rebounds, and nine assists over 34 minutes in a 117-83 win. In another game against the same team, Harden ended with 11 points, eight rebounds, five assists, and two steals in 35 minutes in a 131-115 loss.
Kawhi Leonard also had a notable performance in a game against the Nuggets. He led the Clippers with 21 points, 11 rebounds, and six assists in 35 minutes during a 117-83 win. In another game against the Nuggets, Leonard scored 39 points, had three rebounds, five assists, one block, and two steals in 39 minutes, leading to a 105-102 win.
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Overtime
The Clippers beat the Warriors 124-119 in overtime on Sunday, 13 April 2025, in a game that decided the Western Conference playoff picture. The game was a thrilling back-and-forth affair, with the Clippers outlasting the Warriors to clinch the No. 5 seed and send the Warriors to the play-in tournament.
The Clippers were led by James Harden, who scored 39 points, including two big 3-pointers at the start of overtime, to go along with 10 assists and seven rebounds. Kawhi Leonard added 33 points, and Ivica Zubac contributed 22 points and 17 rebounds. The Clippers' win was their eighth straight and 18th in their last 21 games.
The Warriors, meanwhile, were led by Stephen Curry, who played through an injured shooting thumb to finish with 36 points, including a 3-pointer with 2:06 left in OT. Jimmy Butler added 30 points and nine rebounds, and played stellar defense throughout the game.
The game was close throughout, with the Warriors holding a 33-25 lead after the first quarter. However, the Clippers roared back, pulling within four and eventually taking the lead with 2:30 left in the second quarter. The game remained tight until the end, with the Clippers holding on for the victory.
With the win, the Clippers secured the fifth seed in the Western Conference, while the Warriors fell to the seventh seed and were forced to host the eighth-seeded Memphis Grizzlies in the play-in tournament. The winner of that game would earn the seventh seed and a first-round matchup with the Houston Rockets. The Clippers, meanwhile, advanced to the playoffs, where they would face the Denver Nuggets in the first round.
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The Warriors' loss impact
The Los Angeles Clippers beat the Golden State Warriors 124-119 in overtime on the final day of the regular season. The Clippers clinched the No. 5 seed with the win, while the Warriors fell to No. 7 and were forced into the play-in tournament. This loss had a significant impact on the Warriors' season and their subsequent playoff run.
Firstly, the loss meant that the Warriors had to participate in the play-in tournament, which they had hoped to avoid. The play-in tournament is a gruelling competition that can be physically demanding, especially for a team like the Warriors who were seeking additional rest to recover from injuries. The Warriors had to play the Memphis Grizzlies in the play-in tournament, with the winner earning the No. 7 seed. This game took place just a few days after their loss to the Clippers, giving the Warriors little time to rest and recover.
Secondly, the loss to the Clippers may have impacted the Warriors' momentum and confidence heading into the playoffs. The Warriors had a strong regular season and were aiming for a high seed in the Western Conference. However, the loss to the Clippers disrupted their rhythm and forced them to adjust their strategy and mindset. Entering the playoffs on the back of a loss can be mentally challenging, and it remained to be seen how the Warriors would respond.
Additionally, the loss to the Clippers may have affected the Warriors' standing and perception among their competitors. The Warriors had been a formidable force in the league, and a loss on the final day of the regular season could have been seen as a sign of weakness or vulnerability. This may have given their playoff opponents, such as the Houston Rockets, a psychological boost and increased their belief that they could defeat the Warriors.
The impact of the loss to the Clippers was also felt in the Warriors' lineup and player availability. Key players like Jimmy Butler and Stephen Curry were dealing with injuries in the lead-up to the playoffs. Butler, in particular, suffered a pelvis contusion during the Warriors' loss to the Rockets in the playoffs, which forced him to miss several games. The Warriors had to adjust their lineup and strategy due to these injuries, and it remained uncertain how they would perform without their full-strength roster.
Overall, the loss to the Clippers had a significant impact on the Warriors' season and playoff run. It forced them into the play-in tournament, disrupted their momentum and confidence, and affected their standing among competitors. Additionally, the loss highlighted the importance of player health and availability, with the Warriors struggling to maintain their performance level while dealing with injuries to key players. The Warriors faced a challenging road ahead as they navigated the playoffs and sought to make a deep run despite these setbacks.
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$34.38
The Clippers' playoff spot
The Clippers clinched their playoff spot with an overtime win in their season finale against the Warriors. The game ended 124-119, with the Clippers taking the No. 5 seed and the Warriors falling to No. 7. The Clippers' victory was largely due to James Harden, who scored 39 points, 10 assists, and seven rebounds. Kawhi Leonard also played a key role, scoring 33 points, while Harden hit two big 3-pointers at the start of overtime. This win gave the Clippers an eighth straight victory and a 50-32 record.
The Clippers' No. 5 seed placement set them up to face the Denver Nuggets in the first round. The Nuggets, despite a chaotic final week that included firing their head coach and general manager, secured the fourth seed with a win over the Rockets. The Clippers' strong finish to the regular season, including their victory over the Warriors, positioned them well for their playoff run.
The Warriors' loss to the Clippers was considered a setback for their playoff ambitions. While some disagreed, sports analyst Stephen A. Smith believed the loss would have a ripple effect on the remainder of the Warriors' postseason. The Warriors were denied the opportunity for additional rest and recovery time that a win would have provided. Instead, they had to play in the play-in tournament, facing a tough matchup against the Grizzlies.
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The Warriors' next game
The Golden State Warriors faced off against the LA Clippers on the final day of the regular season. The Clippers clinched the No. 5 seed with a 124-119 overtime win against the Warriors, who fell to No. 7.
The Warriors' loss to the Clippers has been deemed playoff-derailing by some commentators, who believe it will negatively impact the remainder of their postseason. However, others disagree, arguing that a first-round series against an inexperienced Houston team is more favourable than the series they would have played had they beaten the Clippers.
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Frequently asked questions
The Clippers won the game 124-119 in overtime.
The Clippers clinched the No. 5 seed, while the Warriors fell to No. 7 and were sent to the play-in tournament.
James Harden scored 39 points, 10 assists and 7 rebounds for the Clippers. Stephen Curry , playing with an injured shooting thumb, finished with 36 points for the Warriors.
The game was described as "one of the most thrilling regular-season basketball games we've ever seen" by GoldenStateOfMind.com. ESPN's Stephen A. Smith said the Warriors' loss "did [cost them a deep playoff run]".
