Clippers’ Play-In Loss Costs Them Lottery Pick

TL;DR

The Los Angeles Clippers lost to the Golden State Warriors in the Play-In game, which means they will forfeit their 2026 lottery pick to the Oklahoma City Thunder as part of the Paul George trade. Depending on the Warriors' playoff advancement, the Clippers' pick will slot in at either No. 11 or No. 12.

Key points

Clippers lost to Warriors in Play-In game
Clippers forfeit 2026 lottery pick to Thunder
Pick will be either No. 11 or No. 12
Odds for top four selection vary by pick slot
Clippers may receive additional picks from Pacers

Los Angeles ClippersOklahoma City ThunderGolden State WarriorsIndiana Pacers

The 2019 Paul George trade continues to haunt the Los Angeles Clippers and benefit the Oklahoma City Thunder. The trade handed the Thunder superstar Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who is on track to win back-to-back NBA Most Valuable Player Awards this season. It also gave Oklahoma City five first-round picks and two swaps, including one for the 2026 NBA Draft.

Apr 8, 2026; Inglewood, California, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) is defended by Los Angeles Clippers center Brook Lopez (11) in the second half at Intuit Dome. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images The Clippers’ 121-126 loss to the Golden State Warriors in the Play-In game on Wednesday has pushed Los Angeles’ 2026 first-round pick into the NBA Draft lottery. But Los Angeles will have to give up that lottery pick to Oklahoma City as the final piece of the George trade from 2019. The Clippers’ pick will slot in at either No. 11 or No. 12 depending on whether the Warriors advance to the playoffs on Friday. At the No. 12 slot, the pick has a “7.1 percent chance of jumping into the top four and a 1.5 percent chance of becoming the No. 1 pick”, according to **. At the No. 11 slot, the pick has a “9.4% chance to jump into the top four and a 2% shot at landing the No. 1 overall pick,” according to .

Q&A

How does the Clippers' loss affect their 2026 lottery pick?

The Clippers' loss means they will give their 2026 lottery pick to the Oklahoma City Thunder, as part of the Paul George trade.

What are the odds for the Clippers' 2026 pick to become a top selection?

If the pick slots at No. 12, it has a 7.1% chance of jumping into the top four and a 1.5% chance of becoming the No. 1 pick; at No. 11, the chances increase to 9.4% and 2%, respectively.

What other draft picks do the Clippers have in 2026?

In addition to the forfeited pick, the Clippers are guaranteed two second-round picks and may receive a first-round pick from the Indiana Pacers depending on their draft position.