The Warriors’ play-in matchup is officially confirmed.
Golden State is set to retain its identity as the Warriors.
Following the Trail Blazers’ game against the Kings on the final day of the NBA season, the Warriors, positioned 10th, will take on the 9th-seeded Clippers in the opening play-in game.
This pairing seemed almost destined going into Sunday, as the Portland team with significant motivation needed to lose against a Sacramento squad looking to enhance their lottery position.
The concluding play-in game is slated for Wednesday at 7 p.m., serving as a rematch of these teams’ last regular season encounter. Aware they’d likely clash again shortly, both teams opted to rest some players while also keeping a competitive edge, resulting in a Clippers victory of 115-110.
As Warriors coach Steve Kerr put it, “Wednesday will surely feel much different.”
For the losing team, the season will come to a halt. The victor advances to another play-in game on the road Friday night, facing off against the winner between the 8th-seeded Blazers and the 7th-seeded Suns on Tuesday.
No. 9 vs. No. 10 Western Conference Play-in Game
Date: Wednesday, April 15th
Time: 7pm
Location: Intuit Dome; Inglewood
Broadcast: Amazon Prime
Golden State Warriors vs. Los Angeles Clippers Breakdown
The Warriors will field five starters:
G Stephen Curry: 27.0 ppg, 46.8 fg%, 39.2 3pt%
G Brandin Poziemski: 13.7 ppg, 5.2 reb, 3.8 ast
C Kristaps Porzingis: 16.8 ppg, 5.0 reb, 1.2 blk
F Draymond Green: 8.4 ppg, 5.5 ast, 5.5 reb
F Gui Santos: 9.3 ppg, 3.9 reb, 50.5 fg%
Sixth Man: F Al Horford: 8.3 ppg, 5.0 reb, 1.2 blk
The Clippers are set to start these players:
G Chris Dunn: 7.3 ppg, 3.6 ast, 1.6 stl
G Darius Garland: 20.2 ppg, 6.2 ast, 44.6 3pt%
F Derrick Jones Jr.: 10.3 ppg, 3.4 reb, 50.1 fg%
F Kawhi Leonard: 27.9 ppg, 50.5 fg%, 38.7 3pt%
C Brook Lopez: 8.5 ppg, 3.6 reb, 1.2 blk
Sixth Man: F John Collins: 13.7 ppg, 5.3 reb, 41.2 3pt%
Who has the advantage?
In the last 10 games: Clippers 6-4, Warriors 3-7.
Offensive rating: Clippers 117.2 (11th), Warriors 115.0 (19th).
Defensive rating: Clippers 116.1 (18th), Warriors 115.5 (15th).
Season Series Overview: Clippers lead, 3 wins, 1 loss
October 28: Warriors 98, Clippers 79
January 5: Clippers 103, Warriors 102
March 2: Clippers 114, Warriors 101
April 12: Clippers 115, Warriors 110
Quick Facts
Entering Sunday’s season finale, the Clippers had bested the Warriors in their last eight meetings held in Southern California. This marks Golden State’s longest losing streak against an away opponent since Kerr took over in 2014. In aggregate, the Clippers have secured victories in nine of the last ten encounters between the two teams at any location.
Postseason Context
The last postseason clash between the Warriors and Clippers saw Kevin Durant scoring 50 points, Draymond Green achieving a triple-double, and Golden State concluding the 2019 first-round series in six games, ultimately winning their third championship in four years.
The Clippers won their only postseason series against the Warriors in 2014, eliminating key players like Curry in a seven-game series. That stretch of time was significant for the Warriors, marking the end of their season prior to the NBA Finals for six consecutive years.
