NBA Play-In: Curry keeps Warriors alive and sends Clippers on vacation

The Golden State Warriors continue to cling to the season. On a night that evoked their best times, the San Francisco team rallied from 13 points down in the last quarter to prevail 126-121 against Los Angeles Clippers in the play-in, led by a decisive Stephen Curry and a dominant Draymond Green on defense.

Curry scored 35 points and was the main protagonist in the final stretch. The point guard scored 11 of those points in the last 9:27, including a deep three-pointer in the final minute that put the Warriors ahead. It was the decisive blow to complete a comeback that seemed unlikely when the team was on the ropes.

The context only added to the merit. Golden State came into the game after an uneven season, marked by Curry's absence for 27 games due to issues with his right knee. During that stretch, the team struggled with a 9-18 record and dropped to the last play-in position in the West. Furthermore, injuries to Jimmy Butler and Moses Moody had further depleted the rotation.

However, as soon as Curry returned to the court in the last quarter, the game changed. After a quiet first half, the point guard found his rhythm in the third quarter with 16 points in ten minutes, including three crucial three-pointers that kept his team alive.

Alongside him, Green delivered a top-level defensive performance. He shut down Kawhi Leonard, who finished with 21 points but had no impact in the closing moments. In the crucial minutes, the power forward not only limited his opponent's shots but also made key plays: he stole the ball after Curry's three-pointer and then stripped Leonard in a one-on-one situation on the subsequent possession, virtually sealing the victory.

Collective Effort of the Warriors

The collective effort was also crucial. Kristaps Porzingis, acquired late in the market, contributed important points to sustain the team during the comeback, while Al Horford, nearing 40 years old, hit four three-pointers in the last quarter.

Coach Steve Kerr highlighted the competitive character of his team at a critical moment in the season. With a 37-45 record and uncertainties about the project's future, this victory became one of the most significant in his coaching tenure.

With the win, the Warriors advance to another elimination game. They will face the Phoenix Suns on Friday, with the eighth spot in the West at stake. The winner will meet the Oklahoma City Thunder, the reigning champions, in the first round.

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Play-In NBA: Curry deja vivo a los Warriors y manda de vacaciones a los Clippers