Warriors drop regular-season finale, but Brandin Podziemski achieves goal of playing all 82 games

Warriors guard Brandin Podziemski (2) and teammate Stephen Curry high-five during the first half of Sunday's game against the the Clippers in Inglewood (Los Angeles County). (Ethan Swope/Associated Press)

INGLEWOOD, Los Angeles County - The regular-season finale Sunday didn't matter much to the Golden State Warriors.

Save for Brandin Podziemski.

Golden State's regular-season-ending 115-110 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers at Intuit Dome marked Podziemski's 82nd game. The third-year guard began play Sunday as one of 18 players leaguewide positioned to play every game in 2025-26.

Stephen Curry capped his 17th season with 24 points (7-for-14 shooting) in 29 minutes in his fourth game back from runner's knee. Kawhi Leonard didn't play for the Clippers, whom the Warriors (37-45) will face Wednesday in the Western Conference play-in tournament at Intuit Dome in single-elimination play - rendering Sunday's outcome inconsequential.

Podziemski added 10 points and four rebounds.

Said Warriors head coach Steve Kerr of Podziemski playing 82 games: "Not easy to do, especially with the pace, space (and) amount of ground guys cover every single night. It's one of Brandin's best qualities, really, that he's there for us every single night. He's really durable. Loves to play. It's quite a feat."

Podziemski planned to play 82 games, watching former teammate Buddy Hield play 82 games a year ago. Former Warriors center Kevon Looney played 76 games for Golden State in 2023-24, missing six at Kerr's discretion that year after playing 82 the previous two.

"Just to see the habits they have, and then just really finding a flow for me … helped me just try to be available for every game for the team," Podziemski said Thursday following a blowout loss to the Los Angeles Lakers. He explained his availability this season as "being consistent. Finding what works. If there's two days between the game, if there's one day, a back-to-back - just finding those solutions. Because it's a little different for each with really just finding it and sticking with it and trusting the process."

The process led to an uptick in production with the Warriors ravaged by injuries - including season-enders for Jimmy Butler (torn right ACL) and Moses Moody (ruptured left patellar tendon) and a 27-game absence for Curry - and Podziemski's usage scaled up in a featured role. He began play Sunday with career-high averages in scoring (13.9), assists (3.7) and field-goal percentage (45.7%) - saving his best for the end of the season.

Since March 2, he was averaging 18.5 points, 5.3 rebounds, 3.7 assists, shooting 48.1% including 39.7% from 3-point range entering Sunday. What had eluded Podziemski was a 30-point game despite 15 20-point outings this season - until Friday night against the Sacramento Kings.

Podziemski sliced and diced the Kings for 29 points, drawing a foul in the closing seconds. He missed the first free throw and flashed his smile as his teammates - knowing he hadn't scored 30 yet - ribbed him from Golden State's bench. He sank the second to lift the weight.

Clippers 115, Warriors 110

Percentages: FG .419, FT .844.

3-Point Goals: 11-39, .282 (St.Curry 4-9, Se.Curry 2-4, Podziemski 2-5, Spencer 1-3, Williams 1-3, Horford 1-4, Payton II 0-1, Melton 0-3, Richard 0-3, Porzingis 0-4).

Team Rebounds: 6. Team Turnovers: 1.

Blocked Shots: 3 (Melton 2, St.Curry).

Turnovers: 9 (St.Curry 3, Bassey, Horford, Melton, Podziemski, Santos, Spencer).

Steals: 3 (Payton II, Richard, St.Curry).

Technical Fouls: Spencer, 00:33 first; Payton II, 5:28 second.

Percentages: FG .472, FT .895.

3-Point Goals: 14-39, .359 (Bogdanovic 5-8, Batum 3-5, Mathurin 2-7, Miller 1-2, Sanders 1-2, Lopez 1-4, Garland 1-5, Jones Jr. 0-1, Collins 0-2, Dunn 0-3).

Team Rebounds: 7. Team Turnovers: None.

Blocked Shots: 4 (Bogdanovic 2, Batum, Mathurin).

Turnovers: 10 (Dunn 2, Mathurin 2, Miller 2, Bogdanovic, Collins, Garland, Lopez).

Steals: 3 (Dunn 2, Lopez).

Technical Fouls: Sanders, 00:33 first; Mathurin, 5:28 second.

A: 17,927 (18,000). T: 2:15.

"They've just been giving me a hard time the whole year," he said afterward. "It's cool. I'm blessed for sure."

Blessed, healthy and confident too.

"He just looks more comfortable out there," Kerr said. "He's played really well for us."

Bennedict Mathurin led the Clippers (42-40) with 20 points.

This article originally published at Warriors drop regular-season finale, but Brandin Podziemski achieves goal of playing all 82 games.