If you like drama, high-stakes basketball, and a splash of vintage Harden sauce — the April 13 showdown between the LA Clippers and Golden State Warriors served it all with extra crunch.
In the final regular season game of the year, the Clippers stunned the Warriors 124–119 in overtime, clinching the No. 5 seed in the Western Conference and sending Steph Curry and the Dubs into the dreaded play-in tournament.
Harden Goes Full Beard Mode
James Harden turned back the clock with a monster 39-point, 10-assist performance, dropping 12 of those points in OT like it was 2018 again. He hit big threes, dished no-look dimes, and broke ankles in ways that should probably be illegal in four states. Kawhi Leonard added 33 quiet-but-deadly points, while Ivica Zubac played like a human forklift with 22 points and 17 rebounds.
Oh, and did we mention? This was win No. 8 in a row for the red-hot Clippers. Momentum? Maxed out.
Curry Cooks, But It’s Not Enough
Stephen Curry gave it his all — 36 points, including a furious flurry in the closing minutes of regulation. But the Warriors couldn’t close the door. In overtime, they went ice-cold, with Draymond Green and Buddy Hield missing crucial shots, and the Clippers pouncing like playoff-hungry panthers.
What It All Means
- Clippers: Hello, First Round! They’ll face the No. 4 seed and skip the play-in drama entirely.
- Warriors: Time to fight. They’ll square off with the No. 8 seed Memphis Grizzlies in the play-in. Win that, and they earn a date with the Houston Rockets, the West’s No. 2 seed. Lose, and well… it’s Cancun time.
Final Thoughts
The Clippers showed poise, depth, and Harden’s vintage heroics when it mattered most. The Warriors? They’ve still got Curry, but they’ll need more help — and fast — if they want to survive the gauntlet.
Stay tuned as we break down play-in matchups and playoff predictions right here on LatestPlayoffNews.com