LA Clippers Beat Golden State in OT, 124-119, Drop Dubs to Play-in Versus Memphis Grizzlies
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso
PhilBoxing.com
Mon, 14 Apr 2025
The Los Angeles Clippers secured fifth seed in the West and dropped the Golden State Warriors to seventh and into the play-in round with a hard, grueling 124-119 overtime win in NBA's final play date Sunday evening at the Chase Center.
How hard and grueling was that contest?
For Filipino NBA hard core fans who rose up very early Monday to follow that game, it started at 3:30 am Manila time and was only decided at around 6 in the morning.
The feared bearded veteran guard James Harden provided the difference in overtime as he scored ten points on back to back triples to pull the Clippers to four points lead then secured the win with a crucial steal off Stephen Curry and sank four free throws in the dying moments of the game. Teammate Kawhi Leonard likewise made his free throws to hold off any Warriors hope to extend the game to a second extra period.
Fittingly, Harden sank his final two free throws that pegged the final score, 124-119. Curry missed a desperation heave from 65 feet out near the buzzer which even if by some stroke of luck went in would not have saved the Dubs. Unlike the PBA, the NBA has no four points shot.
It was another sorry home loss for the Warriors as Curry, though still with injured finger, and Jimmy Butler, played their hearts out trying to carry their team to victory.
But the Clippers, although they would still clinch the fifth seed over Golden State with a loss, seemed to relish ending the season with a win especially a win that would sweep the season series against the Warriors, 4-0.
And as Harden would later say in a post-game interview, "We would like to show that we are a good team and (indeed) we are a good team".
The regulation ended at 111-all on Ivica Zubac's dunk and Harden's drive in layup after Curry's three pointer had shoved the Warriors to 111-107 lead less than two minutes left.
Harden then put up his show in the overtime.
Harden led all scorers with 39 points followed by Leonard with 32. With only 6-7 Draymond Green challenging him, the seven-foot Zubac frolicked inside the lanes with 22 points and 17 rebounds. Norman Powell and Khris Dunn put in 11 points each.
Curry and Butler carried the fight for the Warriors with 36 points and 30 points respectively. Guard Brandin Podziemski had 19 points and team high 7 rebounds. Green added 14 points but only 3 rebounds.
Again the Warriors big men Jonathan Kuminga, Kevon Looney and Quentin Post were sparingly used.
Golden State could have avoided falling to the play-in but it botched a winnable home game against a Victor Wembanyama-less also run San Antonio Spurs two games ago.
Now the Dubs would try getting into the playoffs the hard--and dangerous---route via the play-in starting with the Memphis Grizzlies for the 7th spot.
#9 Sacramento Kings and the unpredictable #10 Dallas Mavericks play in the other play-in game the winner to play the loser of the Warriors-Grizzlies match for the 8th and final playoff seeding.
The author Teodoro Medina Reynoso is a veteran boxing radio talk show host living in the Philippines. He can be reached at teddyreynoso@yahoo.com and by phone 09215309477.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Teodoro Medina Reynoso.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
COE AND HART CLASH ON BOOTS ENNIS CARD IN PHILADELPHIA
Thu, 21 Aug 2025‘There's nothing that he brings to the table that I've not got an answer for’ Sam Rennie on upcoming fight at Thunderdome 51
Thu, 21 Aug 2025JAMAINE "THE TECHNICIAN" ORTIZ TRAINING CAMP NOTES
Thu, 21 Aug 2025Gervonta Davis vs. Jake Paul: Exhibition Bout Announced for November
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Thu, 21 Aug 2025Legendary boxing coach John Brown Compares cornering Tommy Morrison & Rising young star Marco Romero
Thu, 21 Aug 2025World Kid to Host Meet-and-Greet and Open Workouts In advance of “The Return” on August 31 in Detroit
Thu, 21 Aug 2025Assassin’s Creed: Brian Norman Jr. Signs Multi-Year Contract Extension with Top Rank
Thu, 21 Aug 2025Five Philippine FIDE Masters are scheduled to arrive in Roxas City
By Marlon Bernardino, Thu, 21 Aug 2025Boxing Promotional Powerhouse Top Rank Confirmed for Eighth Annual Box Fan Expo, During Mexican Independence Day Weekend, Saturday, September 13, in Las Vegas
Thu, 21 Aug 2025THRILLA IN MANILA GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY 12: MUHAMMAD ALI LOSSES THEN WINS AGAINST KEN NORTON
By Maloney L. Samaco, Wed, 20 Aug 2025Pasig and Quezon City top 1st PCAP Rated Open championship
By Marlon Bernardino, Wed, 20 Aug 2025Canelo Alvarez vs. Terence Crawford Full Fight Card Revealed
Wed, 20 Aug 2025Sadam Ali's career highlight: Defeating Terence Crawford to become 2008 U.S. Olympian
Wed, 20 Aug 2025Irish amateur star Jim Donovan to make pro debut on Sept. 13th Outdoors at Windsor Park in Belfast
Wed, 20 Aug 2025Boxer and Philanthropist Boyd Melson Awarded Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award by President Joe Biden
Wed, 20 Aug 2025