UPDATE: In a nail-biting finish, the Los Angeles Clippers narrowly defeated the Golden State Warriors 103-102 on Monday night in Inglewood, California. The game was marked by a shocking ejection of Warriors coach Steve Kerr and a foul-out for star player Steph Curry, both pivotal moments that shifted the game’s momentum.
With just 7:57 left in the game, Kerr was ejected after vehemently protesting a non-call regarding a goaltending violation against the Clippers’ John Collins. Kerr’s furious pursuit of the referees along the sideline resulted in his assistants needing to restrain him before he was thrown out of the game.
Curry, who scored 27 points but struggled with accuracy, fouled out with 42 seconds remaining—marking the first time he has fouled out since December 17, 2021. His late-game absence proved critical as the Warriors attempted to reclaim the lead, trailing by just one point at that moment.
Despite missing its star player late in the game, Golden State fought hard, closing the gap to just one point after Draymond Green scored in the lane. However, a pair of crucial free throws by Clippers’ Kris Dunn sealed the game after Curry fouled him.
The Clippers were led by Kawhi Leonard, who delivered a stellar performance with 24 points and 12 rebounds, alongside rookie Kobe Sanders, who scored a career-high 20 points. The Clippers’ victory marks their eighth consecutive win over the Warriors at home.
In an exciting twist, the game was infused with a playoff-like atmosphere, featuring rapper Snoop Dogg providing commentary for the game streamed on Peacock. The Clippers managed to outscore the Warriors 16-7 in a crucial stretch of the fourth quarter, establishing a 94-81 lead before the Warriors surged back.
The shooting statistics reflected a tough night for both teams, with the Clippers hitting 10 of their 29 three-point attempts, while the Warriors struggled even more at 10 for 41. James Harden was a late scratch for the Clippers due to shoulder soreness, yet they still received double-figure contributions from all five starters.
Both teams are now focusing on their upcoming games, with the Warriors set to host the Milwaukee Bucks on Wednesday, kicking off an eight-game homestand, while the Clippers head to New York to face the Knicks in their next contest.
As the NBA season heats up, fans will be watching closely to see how these teams rebound from this intense matchup, especially with playoff implications on the line. Stay tuned for more updates as the situation develops.
