Truly the most significant battle in the final day of the 2024-2025 NBA season is none other than the Warriors-Clippers matchup. Both teams from California faced each other on Monday while trying to avoid Play-In, in a seed-defining bout that would ultimately tell their position before the playoffs begin. However, it was the visiting Clippers who took the dub, 124-119, in a nail-biting overtime finish to secure the 5th seed in a jam packed Western Conference.
The Intense and Dramatic Warriors-Clippers Faceoff Makes History
It was all but a suspenseful day inside the Chase Arena for Golden State’s game number 82.
The Clippers were ready to turn things around after the Paul George trade back in the summer of 2024. All of their top dogs—James Harden, Kawhi Leonard, Norman Powell, Ivica Zubac—were on the floor for their final game of the season.
The Warriors also wouldn’t budge with Steph Curry, Jimmy Butler, Brandin Podziemski, and 2025 Defensive Player of the Year candidate Draymond Green out on the field.
As expected, the game went down to the wire with both squads trying their best to give their team the lead. The Clips and the Dubs traded bucket after bucket, and exchanged leads in the final minutes, leading to overtime. Ultimately, the Clippers proved how terrifying they can be when healthy, after outlasting the 2022 champs in a thrilling OT.
Harden and Kawhi combined for 72 points with The Beard having another classic performance with 39 points, 10 assists, and 7 rebounds while The Klaw had himself a nice 33 points on an efficient 13-of-20 shooting. On the other hand, Zubac dominated the small ball Warriors after finishing with 22 points. The Croatian big man crashed the glass and alone grabbed 17 boards, compared to the Warriors’ 25 as a team.
It was also evident that Butler tried to carry the Warriors after getting 39 points and 9 assists, while also trying to keep Kawhi in check. Curry, like the great shooter he is, sank 7 of his 12 attempts from the three-point line, and ended the game with 36 points in total despite his lingering hand injuries. Podziemski helped with 19 points, but the biggest question was how Jonathan Kuminga didn’t get to play against the LA Clippers.
The NBA announced that this is the very first time four players recorded at least 30 points in the final game of the season, showing how competitive it can be, come playoff time.
The Clippers get their 50th win of their 2024-2025 campaign despite a major change in their roster. They also secured the 5th seed and will face the No.4 Denver Nuggets, who had just fired head coach Mike Malone earlier this month.
Meanwhile, the Bay Area drops to the 7th seed after the crushing defeat. It’s consequently a missed opportunity for GSW, who are once again back in Play-In contention. They’re 0-3 in their past appearances.
The Warriors will face the 8th-seeded Memphis Grizzlies on Wednesday, April 16.
