
The Golden State Warriors defeated the LA Clippers 126-121 in a Play-In tournament, keeping their postseason hopes alive. Steph Curry expressed pride in the victory as they prepare to face the Phoenix Suns next.
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INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 15: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors reacts against the LA Clippers in the second half of an NBA play-in tournament game at Intuit Dome on April 15, 2026 in Inglewood, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
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Inglewood, Calif. â After enduring aches, swarming defenses and a shooting slump, Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry walked proudly through the Intuit Dome entrance tunnel.
The Warriors just secured a 126-121 win over the LA Clippers on Wednesday in a Play-In tournament that at least extends their post-season hopes for two days. As a 10th seed, the Warriors will face the No. 7 Phoenix Suns on Friday just for the right to face the NBAâs defending champions (Oklahoma City Thunder) on Sunday in a first-round series.
This represents a far cry from the Warriorsâ previous dominance when Curry delivered them five NBA titles in seven Finals appearances. No matter. Curry sparked nostalgia with a dynasty-like performance to delay the franchiseâs possible crossroads. He finished with 35 points while shooting 12-for-23 from the field and 7-for-12. Hence, Curryâs unleashed his emotions as he walked toward the Warriorsâ locker room.
âCome on!!â Curry yelled with the kind of fury he normally reserved for the NBA Finals.
Moments later, Warriors coach Steve Kerr sat at the podium. He scoffed at any concern that the 38-year-old Curry was either jeopardizing his future or wasting his time to return for four regular-season games and the NBA Play-In tournament after missing 27 games with a right knee injury.
âThis is why Steph came back. Everybody out there who thought Steph shouldâve taken the rest of the year off,â Kerr said, trailing off before pounding the table. âThis is what he does. This is who he is. If he can compete, heâs going to compete. It was just incredible to watch.â
It sure was.
After shooting only 2-for-9 from the field in the first half, Curry rebounded with a 10-for-14 clip in the second half. Curry helped the Warriors overcome a 13-point deficit by scoring 11 points in the final 9:27. Among those key plays: Curry made a 3 that gave the Warriors a 120-117 lead with 50.4 seconds left.
The Golden State Warriors won the Play-In game against the LA Clippers with a score of 126-121.
The Warriors will face the No. 7 Phoenix Suns next in the Play-In tournament.
The Golden State Warriors are the 10th seed in the NBA Play-In tournament.
Steph Curry stated that the win is 'what you live for,' expressing pride in the team's performance.

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âWhen you have any time of chance or hope to extend our season, I wanted to be out there and experience it,â Curry said. âYou donât imagine it going like it did tonight. But Iâm proud of how we all fought.â
After laboring through a 37-45 regular-season record amid season-ending injuries to Jimmy Butler (right ACL) and Moses Moody (ruptured tendon), the Warriors showed team-wide championship DNA.
Though Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard scored 21 points on a 8-for-17 clip, Warriors forward Draymond Green helped limit Leonard from deep (1-for-6) while forcing five turnovers. Warriors forward Kristaps Porzingis added 20 points and five assists with a strong perimeter and post presence both as a scorer and facilitator. Warriors center Al Horford added 14 points while shooting 5-for-8 overall and 4-for-7 from 3. Not a coincidence that Curry (four), Green (four), Porzingis (one) and Horford (one) have all won NBA titles. The Warriors also saw their young players thrive in a high-stakes game, including Gui Santos (20 points) and Brandin Podziemski (17 points).
Just like during the Warriorsâ dynasty run, however, everything circles back to Curry. It starts with his play with his gravitational pull, his shooting and strong decision making. It also extends to Curryâs resiliency with overcoming a sluggish start.
âIt does everything to set the tone,â Green said. âBecause when the head of the snake is locked in like that and everything is going wrong for him and he stayed dialed in and continuing to push forward, no one else is allowed to drop their head. Youâre going to watch this guy who has nothing to play for. If he goes home today, heâs Steph Curry. Nothingâs changing that. But when you watch him go through what heâs going through, you watch him deal with the tough start. And his head is held high. The next shot, in his mind, is the best shot. Well, everybody else feeds off of that. So man, Iâm blessed to play with him for 14 years. Heâs a special, special guy. Heâs a special player, and thatâs why heâs been the face of this organization and this organization has done this.â
Thatâs why Kerr told his players afterwards that he felt just as proud of his teamâs latest accomplishment as when they competed for NBA titles. The Warriors have enough experience and self-awareness to realize a Play-In tournament win doesnât warrant a champagne bath. It still warrants emotions, though.
Beforehand, Kerr conceded the possibility that the Warriors were facing finality with the remaining pieces of their championship fabric. When the buzzer sounded, Kerr and Green hugged each other for keeping that fabric intact. No wonder Curry remained hellbent on returning so long as it didnât compromise his long-term health.
âWatching what he was going through was tough because you knew that all he wanted was to be out there,â Green said. âHeâs coming in every single day putting the work in and, for a large amount of time, not getting any results. Most people would quit, especially when youâre in a position like that. Most people would be like. âIâll get myself right and Iâll do it again next year.â But thatâs never who heâs been. Thatâs why this organization has been able to go from worst to first. When you have a guy like that, that the only thing that matters is the next day and not the next year, just the next day. Everyone else falls in line. Everyone else has a responsibility because of the responsibility that he takes on. This is why he wanted to get back. Because when heâs on the floor, you always have a chance.â
Curry carried that same attitude even during his in-game hiccups He labored through finding enough open looks from deep. He struggled to finish at the rim while absorbing contact. He became annoyed with not receiving whistles amid physicality both at the rim and from beyond the perimeter.
Throughout his 17-year NBA career, Curry always believes the next shot will fix a slump or missed calls. That concept played out against the Clippers. In the third quarter, Curry scored 16 points on a 6-for-8 clip. In the fourth quarter, Curry added 11 points on a 4-for-6 mark.
âI love everything about Steph. But what Iâve seen happen tonight and over and over again is that he can be in the middle of a very average game. And then all of a sudden, it clicks,â Kerr said. âHeâs so poised out there. Having a rough go, he just keeps going and keeps going. All it takes is one. You can feel it.â
So can Curry, obviously.
âIâm just having fun. I think the muscle memory and the reps and the work you put in your entire life comes out at the right times,â Curry said. âI always talk about earning and deserving the confidence you play with because of the work that you put in. and not being afraid of failure, missed shots and turnovers. You just keep going. Then the shot goes in, thereâs a rhythm to it. You keep finding yourself open. Then you enjoy the environment.â
That explains Curryâs execution to his clutch 3 and his subsequent reaction.
With the game tied at 117 with 58.5 seconds left, Curry and Green ran what appeared to be a pick-and-roll. Instead, Curry threw a behind-the-back pass to Green only for him to dish the ball back with a dribble handoff. Though the Clippersâ Kris Dunn and Brook Lopez still chased Curry, he had enough space to pull up for 3 and make the shot.
âSteph is one of the smartest players,â Green said. âHe doesnât get credit for it because heâs so good. He shoots the ball better than anyone. He dribbles the ball as good as anyone. So oftentimes people donât value his IQ.â
Plenty value Curryâs joy, though. After releasing the shot, Curry fell into a handful of Clippers courtside fans. Once the ball dropped into the basket, Curry bantered with the fans before flexing his arms and yelling.
âI was just playing around with one of the guys. I actually landed on his lap,â Curry said, smiling. âHe was making sure I was good. Then we had a little back and forth. Very pleasant, but it was fun.â
Hence, Curryâs postgame emotions. He stressed that âweâre not satisfiedâ with just one Play-in Tournament victory. The Warriors are aware they need to ensure enough energy and execution against Phoenix just to secure a first-round series against the Thunder. The Warriors just want a chance, though. Because they still have Curry capable of playing at his best, they will gladly keep playing that hand.
âThis is what you work all year for, all summer, all offseason,â Curry said. âWeâre not guaranteed a series yet. But these nights make everything worth it.â
This article was originally published on Forbes.com