The Golden State Warriors defeated the Los Angeles Clippers 120-114 on Thursday night (Friday, Manila time) behind 26 points, 8 assists, and 7 rebounds from Stephen Curry. The Clippers were severely outmanned by the Warriors.

On Tuesday night in Sacramento, the Warriors lost 124-123 after losing guards Chris Paul and Gary Payton II to injuries. Klay Thompson scored 22 points, including 10 straight in the fourth quarter, as the team blew a 24-point lead in the In-Season Tournament and failed to advance out of Group C. Andrew Wiggins, another forward, was unable to participate because he banged his right index finger on a car door earlier in the day on Thursday.

In the first half of this game, Golden State led by as much as 18 points and maintained that lead even when Paul George had a hot hand in the final minutes. After George’s jumper trimmed the Warriors’ lead to 89-81 with 10 minutes and 41 seconds to play, Thompson took over and the Clippers got within five points on James Harden’s 3-pointer with 4 minutes and 32 seconds to play.

Harden scored 18 points and dished out seven assists, and Kawhi Leonard led the Lakers with 23 points and seven boards. With 10 assists and 15 points, George was quite the player.

On Saturday, in Los Angeles, the teams will clash again.

With 4 minutes and twenty-three seconds remaining in the first quarter, Curry finally got his shot off. The following possession, he made another long-range shot, fouled Russell Westbrook, and argued, leading him his first technical foul of the season. According to Elias, this was the two-time MVP’s 26th technical foul of the season, and his first since the fourth quarter of the 2023–24 season versus Memphis.

In the first meeting between the California rivals this season, Draymond Green recorded 13 points, five rebounds, and five assists. The Warriors have won the last six games played at home. Since a 108-101 win on January 6, 2021, the Clippers have failed to secure a victory in the Bay Area.

Payton has missed five games due to a strained right calf, and Paul has missed the opening game of the season due to a nerve injury in his lower left leg. His next appointment is in a week for a reevaluation. MRI scans revealed no structural injuries to either athlete.

In a playful nod to Thompson, Curry, and Green’s jersey numbers, the Warriors used the date 11/30/23. Behind the podium at the press briefing was a painting depicting the three stars.

“I’ll be eternally grateful to these guys, forever,” coach Steve Kerr remarked, casting a glance at the exquisite artwork he perceived. It was a stroke of luck that I was able to coach these men for ten years—my first coaching gig in the NBA. I mean, it’s not like that often. Not only have we been successful, but the relationships we’ve developed with all three of them have been invaluable, and for that I am truly grateful. I adore all three of you; this past decade has been incredible, and the fact that we are still together is just astounding.