Stephen Curry delivered a spectacular second‑half performance, pouring in 27 of his 35 total points as the Golden State Warriors clawed back from a 13‑point deficit to defeat the Los Angeles Clippers 126-121 in a thrilling play‑in tournament showdown. The veteran sharpshooter’s seventh three‑pointer, which landed with just 50.4 seconds remaining, broke a tie and gave the 10th‑seeded Warriors the lead for good. Al Horford contributed four timely triples in the decisive fourth quarter, while the entire squad finished the night on a 16‑6 run that held Kawhi Leonard scoreless for the final 16 seconds of the game.
The comeback was a testament to Golden State’s resilience after a regular‑season record of 37‑45 and the loss of All‑Star Jimmy Butler to a season‑ending injury in January. With Curry, Draymond Green and a roster seasoned by postseason experience, the Warriors now sit just one victory away from securing a full‑time playoff berth. Their next test comes on Friday when they travel to Phoenix; the winner of that contest will advance to face defending champion Oklahoma City in the first round.
For the Clippers, Kawhi Leonard posted 21 points, but it was Bennedict Mathurin who led Los Angeles with 23, and Darius Garland added 21 points and eight assists despite battling foul trouble. The Clippers had built a 98-85 lead with under ten minutes to play, but the 38‑year‑old Curry ignited a furious rally alongside Kristaps Porzingis, who contributed 20 points, and the 39‑year‑old Horford. Their combined effort erased the deficit and ultimately tipped the balance in Golden State’s favor.
The game also featured a memorable moment when Al Horford knocked down three consecutive three‑pointers in the closing minutes. After Horford’s third triple, Gui Santos’ layup with 2:45 left trimmed the Clippers’ advantage to a single point, 115-114. Horford’s fourth three‑pointer, coming with 2:12 on the clock, vaulted the Warriors ahead 117-115, a lead they would protect until the final buzzer.
Beyond the Warriors‑Clippers clash, the broadcast highlighted other NBA action. In Philadelphia, Tyrese Maxey erupted for 31 points while V.J. Edgecombe added a double‑double of 19 points and 11 rebounds, guiding the 76ers past the Orlando Magic 109-97 and clinching the No. 7 seed in the Eastern Conference.
The Sixers now await a first‑round series that begins Sunday at Boston. Meanwhile, Desmond Bane’s 34‑point outburst kept the Magic alive as they prepared to host Charlotte for the No. 8 seed, with the victor set to meet Detroit in the opening round. The article also mentioned Joel Embiid’s recent emergency appendectomy in Houston.
Although the 76ers have not announced a definitive return date for the two‑time scoring champion, he surprised teammates by appearing in the locker room on Wednesday, watching the game from the bench. Maxey, who earned his first Eastern Conference All‑Star starter nod, delivered a clutch stretch of seven straight points late in the fourth quarter, providing the Sixers with a breathing room that proved decisive. Looking ahead, the 2026 NBA playoffs are slated to launch on Sky Sports this Sunday, April 19, with four live games on Sky Sports Action starting at 6 p.m. BST.
The schedule includes: 6 p.m. – East No.
7 seed @ Boston Celtics (Game 2) 8:30 p.m. – West No.
8 seed @ Oklahoma City Thunder (Game 1) 11 p.m. – East No. 8 seed @ Detroit Pistons (Game 1) 2 a.m. – Portland Trail Blazers (7) @ San Antonio Spurs (2) Sky Sports will also carry all Western Conference Finals matches live beginning May 20.
The broadcast outlined the playoff bracket, noting first‑round matchups such as Phoenix Suns (7) vs. Portland Trail Blazers (8), Los Angeles Clippers (9) vs.
Golden State Warriors (10), and the subsequent path for the Suns against the winner of Game 2. Other series include Detroit vs.
the 8th seed, Boston vs. the 7th seed, New York vs. Atlanta, and Cleveland vs. Toronto, among others.
For fans eager to follow the action, Sky Sports offers both traditional cable and streaming options via NOW, with contract‑free plans available. The network’s comprehensive coverage ensures that viewers can watch every pivotal moment of the 2026 playoffs, from the opening round through the conference finals and ultimately the NBA Finals. In summary, Stephen Curry’s electrifying second‑half display, Al Horford’s clutch shooting, and the Warriors’ relentless fourth‑quarter surge turned a seemingly lost cause into a memorable victory. The win not only propels Golden State deeper into the play‑in tournament but also showcases the veteran leadership and tenacity that define their postseason aspirations.
As the Warriors head to Phoenix, the NBA landscape continues to shift, with each game carrying heightened significance for teams fighting to extend their seasons and chase championship glory.