Curry's 35 Points Lifts Warriors Past Clippers in Playoff Thriller
Golden State survives a late Clippers comeback to win 126-121 behind Curry's scoring burst and balanced support from Santos and Porziņģis.
### Game Flow
With 4:00 remaining and the Clippers trailing 114-111, Stephen Curry took over offensively, scoring 8 consecutive points over the next two minutes—including multiple three-pointers and mid-range pull-ups—to stretch the Warriors' lead to 122-111. The Clippers never fully recovered despite Leonard and Garland's late efforts.
Stephen Curry put on a maestro performance in the Warriors' 126-121 victory over the Clippers, dropping 35 points on efficient shooting to steal Game 1 of what shapes up to be a brutal playoff series. Golden State came in as visitors and had to weather a Clippers team fighting for survival at home, but superior depth and Curry's clutch execution down the stretch proved too much for Los Angeles to handle.
The Warriors' offense hummed through four quarters, with contributions scattered across their roster. Gui Santos and Kristaps Porziņģis each added 20 points, giving GSW three scorers in double figures and forcing the Clippers into a defensive nightmare. Meanwhile, Draymond Green's all-around excellence—9 assists, 4 steals, and 6 rebounds—set the tempo for a Warriors team that moved the ball and didn't rely on heroics from one man, even if Curry ended up taking over.
Standout Performances
Curry's 35 points on 12-of-23 shooting (7-of-12 from three) was the story, but it wasn't just volume; it was timing. He hit the shots when the Clippers clawed back, keeping Golden State's lead intact in crunch time. Santos' 20 points on an efficient 9-of-13 from the field provided crucial secondary scoring that LAC couldn't match with their bench unit, while Porziņģis' 20 points and 5 assists showed why the Warriors' front court flexibility is a nightmare matchup.
For the Clippers, Bennedict Mathurin led the charge with 23 points on solid 7-of-11 shooting, and Kawhi Leonard chipped in 21 points despite playing 40 minutes in a losing effort. Darius Garland orchestrated offense with 8 assists and 21 points, but it wasn't enough firepower. Brook Lopez added 17 points and played heavy minutes, but the Clippers' bench depth—particularly their non-Mathurin/Leonard/Garland players—couldn't keep pace with Warriors reserves.
Turning Point
The Clippers mounted a furious fourth-quarter push, but a sequence with about 4 minutes remaining became decisive. With the score tight at 114-111, Curry caught fire from mid-range and three-point territory, scoring 8 consecutive points over the next two minutes to push the Warriors to 122-111. The Clippers scored but never fully closed the gap; Garland's late floaters and Leonard's drives kept them within striking distance, but Curry and Green's possession management—Green finished with just 1 turnover in 35 minutes—prevented any final desperation run from working.
What It Means
The Warriors' balanced attack and Curry's superstar reliability sent an unmistakable message: Golden State's experience and depth will be extremely difficult to overcome in this series. For the Clippers, it's back to the drawing board. Leonard's workload (40 minutes) and Garland's heavy usage suggest LAC may need to recalibrate their offensive philosophy if they're going to steal games on the road.
Four who decided it
Stephen Curry
Curry's 35-point performance on 12-of-23 shooting and 7-of-12 from three was the game's defining superstar statement. He controlled rhythm down the stretch, hitting mid-range pull-ups and step-back threes when the Clippers made their fourth-quarter push, ultimately providing the cushion Golden State needed to hold on.
Gui Santos
Santos' 20 points on an ultra-efficient 9-of-13 from the field provided crucial secondary scoring that allowed the Warriors to weather Clippers attacks without overloading Curry. His two-way impact—combined with 6 rebounds and 5 assists—showed why depth was the deciding factor.
Bennedict Mathurin
Mathurin was the Clippers' most consistent offensive threat, posting 23 points on clean 7-of-11 shooting and adding 3 steals. Despite his stellar individual performance, it wasn't enough to complement Leonard and Garland's efforts in a losing effort.
Draymond Green
Green's 9 assists and game-high 4 steals orchestrated the Warriors' system, controlling pace and creating turnovers that fueled transition opportunities. His 35-minute presence in the backcourt was essential to Golden State's ability to impose their rhythm.
| Player | PTS | REB | AST | 3PM |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stephen Curry | 35 | 1 | 4 | 7 |
| Bennedict Mathurin | 23 | 3 | 2 | 5 |
| Kawhi Leonard | 21 | 7 | 3 | 1 |
| Darius Garland | 21 | 5 | 8 | 2 |
| Kristaps Porziņģis | 20 | 5 | 5 | 3 |
| Gui Santos | 20 | 6 | 5 | 2 |
| Brandin Podziemski | 17 | 7 | 2 | 2 |
| Brook Lopez | 17 | 5 | 1 | 1 |