The Los Angeles Clippers outlasted the Golden State Warriors with a 112-104 victory on Sunday night, dampening the Warriors’ home opener and sending a wave of concern across the court as Stephen Curry exited in the fourth quarter due to a left ankle injury.
The game took an unexpected turn when Curry, a driving force for the Warriors, tweaked his ankle late in the third quarter. Though he returned for a brief stint in the fourth quarter, he ultimately left the game at the 7:55 mark, finishing with 18 points and six assists. His departure left a noticeable void as Golden State struggled to keep up with the Clippers. This pivotal moment in the game underscored the Warriors’ vulnerabilities when Curry is absent, a concern that could carry implications if his injury sidelines him for future games.
Ivica Zubac delivered a standout performance, leading the Clippers with 23 points and an impressive 18 rebounds. His dominant presence in the paint helped propel Los Angeles forward, as they tallied a total of 58 points in the paint, 30 of which came by halftime. Zubac’s high-energy performance and commanding rebounding helped the Clippers secure possession and keep the Warriors at bay, demonstrating the depth and balance the Clippers bring even in the absence of their key star, Kawhi Leonard.
James Harden also played a crucial role in the Clippers’ win, contributing 23 points and 11 assists. With Leonard sidelined due to a right knee injury, Harden stepped up to help fill the leadership gap, making all nine of his free-throw attempts and playing a pivotal role in maintaining the Clippers’ offensive momentum. His precise playmaking skills and ability to draw fouls were instrumental in keeping the Warriors on their toes, further demonstrating the Clippers’ depth and versatility.
Golden State was led by Andrew Wiggins, who posted 29 points, including a crucial 3-pointer at the 3:47 mark that brought the Warriors within one point. Despite Wiggins’ best efforts, the Warriors faced challenges maintaining possession, committing 21 turnovers that led to 21 Clippers points. Buddy Hield, making his home debut for the Warriors, struggled with his shooting, hitting just 3 of 14 shots, including 1 of 9 from beyond the arc, for a total of eight points off the bench.
The game wasn’t without moments of tension; at the 4:32 mark in the third quarter, Golden State successfully challenged a foul call against Draymond Green, which was ultimately overturned and ruled a charge on Zubac. However, this small victory couldn’t prevent the Clippers’ steady pace or alleviate the mounting pressure as Curry exited.
Before the game, the Warriors honored the late Al Attles, a Hall of Famer and Warriors legend, with a moment of silence and a video tribute during a timeout in the first quarter. Attles, a former player, coach, general manager, and ambassador for the Warriors, passed away at the age of 87, and his presence was fondly remembered in the arena.
Looking ahead, the Clippers will return to Los Angeles for a five-game homestand, starting with a matchup against the Portland Trail Blazers on Wednesday. The Warriors, meanwhile, will face the New Orleans Pelicans on Tuesday for the first of back-to-back games.
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