LA Clippers vs Golden State Warriors Match Player Stats
LA Clippers vs Golden State Warriors match player stats from the April 16, 2026 NBA Play-In game tell the story of a high-scoring contest decided by Golden State’s outstanding fourth quarter. The Warriors defeated the Clippers 126-121 at Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California, turning a five-point deficit after three quarters into a five-point victory. Stephen Curry led Golden State with 35 points, while Gui Santos and Kristaps Porzingis each scored 20. For Los Angeles, John Collins finished with 23 points and 9 rebounds, while Kawhi Leonard and Darius Garland each added 21 points.
The box score shows why this game was so competitive. Both teams finished with 36 rebounds, and their shooting numbers were strong throughout the night. Golden State made 47 of 83 field-goal attempts for 57 percent shooting and connected on 19 of 41 three-pointers. Los Angeles made 45 of 86 shots for 52 percent and went 14 of 35 from three-point range.
Yet the final five-point margin was not simply about shooting percentages. The Warriors produced 43 points in the fourth quarter, their most productive period of the game, while the Clippers scored 32. That late offensive surge changed the direction of the contest and ultimately separated the teams.
LA Clippers vs Golden State Warriors Match Player Stats at a Glance
The April 16 contest was an NBA Play-In matchup between the ninth and tenth-place teams in the Western Conference. The game took place at Intuit Dome, where 17,927 fans watched the Warriors claim a 126-121 victory.
| Category | Golden State Warriors | LA Clippers |
| Final Score | 126 | 121 |
| First Quarter | 22 | 31 |
| Second Quarter | 31 | 30 |
| Third Quarter | 30 | 28 |
| Fourth Quarter | 43 | 32 |
| Field Goals | 47-83 | 45-86 |
| Field Goal Percentage | 57% | 52% |
| Three-Pointers | 19-41 | 14-35 |
| Three-Point Percentage | 46% | 40% |
| Free Throws | 13-21 | 17-17 |
| Free Throw Percentage | 62% | 100% |
| Rebounds | 36 | 36 |
| Assists | 29 | 30 |
| Turnovers | 20 | 17 |
| Steals | 12 | 15 |
| Blocks | 3 | 3 |
The most important number may be Golden State’s 43 fourth-quarter points. The Warriors were behind for most of the night, but their final-period efficiency completely changed the scoreboard.
How the Game Developed Quarter by Quarter
The game followed a very different pattern from the final score.
First Quarter: Clippers Establish Control
Los Angeles opened the game strongly, scoring 31 points compared with Golden State’s 22. The nine-point difference gave the Clippers an early advantage and forced the Warriors to spend much of the game trying to close the gap.
A first-quarter lead can be particularly valuable in a Play-In game because the pressure is different from a normal regular-season matchup. Every possession carries greater weight, and an early advantage can force the trailing team to increase its offensive aggression.
Golden State, however, did not allow the deficit to grow significantly after the opening period.
Second Quarter: Warriors Respond
Golden State scored 31 points in the second quarter, compared with 30 for Los Angeles.
That narrowed the Clippers’ advantage by one point, but the larger significance was that the Warriors had begun to stabilize offensively. Instead of allowing Los Angeles to control the pace, Golden State stayed within striking distance.
At halftime, the Clippers still had the advantage, but the Warriors had demonstrated that the game was far from settled.
Third Quarter: Clippers Maintain the Lead
The Clippers scored 28 points in the third quarter, while Golden State scored 30.
The Warriors continued to chip away, but not quickly enough to take control. Los Angeles entered the fourth quarter with a six-point advantage based on the cumulative quarter totals.
At this stage, the Clippers appeared to have done enough to protect their home-court advantage. The decisive question became whether Golden State could produce a fourth-quarter offensive performance strong enough to reverse the game.
Fourth Quarter: The Turning Point
Golden State answered that question emphatically.
The Warriors scored 43 points in the final quarter. Los Angeles scored 32.
That 11-point fourth-quarter advantage erased the Clippers’ lead and produced the final 126-121 result.
This is the clearest statistical explanation for the Warriors’ victory. The game was close for three quarters, but Golden State’s offensive execution reached another level when the outcome was on the line.
Stephen Curry Leads Golden State With 35 Points
Stephen Curry was the Warriors’ leading scorer with 35 points.
His scoring total stands out because Golden State needed a major offensive contribution to overcome Los Angeles’ strong opening. Curry’s 35 points gave the Warriors a reliable scoring centerpiece while the team generated significant production around him.
Golden State’s 19 three-pointers also provide useful context. The Warriors made 19 of 41 attempts from beyond the arc, a 46 percent rate.
That type of perimeter production creates considerable pressure on a defense. Even when the opposition is scoring efficiently inside or at the free-throw line, a team making nearly half of its three-point attempts can quickly erase a deficit.
Curry’s role was therefore not isolated from the team’s overall offensive performance. His scoring came within an offense that ultimately produced 126 points and shot 57 percent from the field.
Gui Santos Provides 20 Points
Gui Santos finished with 20 points, making him one of Golden State’s important secondary scoring contributors.
A 20-point performance from a supporting player becomes particularly valuable when the opposing defense is focused heavily on a primary scorer such as Curry. The Warriors did not have to depend on one player for all of their offensive production.
Santos reaching 20 points also illustrates an important feature of the box score. Golden State received enough scoring support to maintain offensive balance.
When analyzing player statistics, the headline scorer often receives most of the attention. However, postseason-style games are frequently determined by the quality of secondary production. A team that gets significant contributions beyond its star has more ways to respond when defensive attention becomes concentrated.
Kristaps Porzingis Also Scores 20
Kristaps Porzingis matched Gui Santos with 20 points.
His scoring gave Golden State another important offensive option and helped create a three-level scoring structure around the team’s leading production.
With Curry scoring 35 and Santos and Porzingis each scoring 20, Golden State had three players accounting for 75 points.
That is a substantial share of a 126-point team total.
The balance matters because the Clippers had several high-scoring contributors of their own. Golden State needed more than one reliable offensive source to win a game that reached 121 points for Los Angeles.
Draymond Green’s 9 Assists
Draymond Green led Golden State in assists with 9.
Assists do not appear as prominently as points in most game summaries, but they can help explain how an offense creates efficient scoring opportunities.
Golden State finished with 29 assists overall. Green’s 9 represented a significant portion of that total.
His passing contribution is especially relevant when viewed alongside the Warriors’ 57 percent field-goal shooting and 19 made three-pointers. The combination suggests an offense that was able to generate quality scoring opportunities throughout the game, particularly during its explosive fourth quarter.
Green’s statistical value therefore extended beyond his own scoring output. His nine assists helped connect the Warriors’ offensive pieces.
Brandin Podziemski Leads the Warriors in Rebounds
Brandin Podziemski recorded 7 rebounds, the highest total for Golden State according to the supplied game data.
Golden State and Los Angeles both finished with 36 rebounds.
That means the Warriors did not win the game by dominating the glass. Instead, their advantage came primarily from offensive execution and late-game scoring.
This is an important distinction when interpreting box scores. A team can win despite having no rebounding advantage if it creates enough value in other areas.
Golden State’s 19 made three-pointers, 57 percent field-goal shooting and 43 fourth-quarter points provide a stronger explanation for the victory than rebounding does.
John Collins Leads the Clippers With 23 Points
John Collins was Los Angeles’ leading scorer with 23 points and also led the Clippers with 9 rebounds.
His performance was one of the most complete individual efforts in the game.
Collins contributed on both sides of the scoring and rebounding equation. His 23 points helped the Clippers reach 121 points, while his nine rebounds matched the Warriors’ leading individual rebound contribution and gave Los Angeles a strong presence on the glass.
His production was not enough to secure the win, but it demonstrates that the Clippers had effective individual scoring throughout the contest.
Kawhi Leonard Scores 21 Points
Kawhi Leonard finished with 21 points.
Leonard’s scoring formed part of a balanced Clippers attack. Rather than relying exclusively on one player, Los Angeles had multiple players reach or exceed 21 points.
That distribution helped the Clippers score 121 points despite losing the game.
The problem for Los Angeles was not a lack of offensive production. The Clippers actually shot 52 percent from the field and made 14 three-pointers.
The decisive issue was that Golden State produced an even stronger offensive finish.
Darius Garland Adds 21 Points
Darius Garland also scored 21 points for Los Angeles.
Garland’s 21 points, combined with Collins’ 23 and Leonard’s 21, gave the Clippers three major scoring contributors with at least 21 points each.
That is a strong offensive foundation.
However, individual scoring totals must always be considered alongside team efficiency. The Clippers scored 121 points, but Golden State scored 126. In a game with such high offensive production, small differences in shot-making and late-game execution can determine the winner.
Kris Dunn Records 10 Assists
Kris Dunn led all Clippers players with 10 assists.
His assist total is one of the most notable playmaking statistics from the game. Los Angeles finished with 30 assists, one more than Golden State’s 29.
This means the Clippers actually held a slight advantage in total assists.
That fact makes the final result more interesting. Golden State did not win because it overwhelmingly out-assisted Los Angeles. The Warriors won despite the Clippers producing slightly more assists.
The difference came elsewhere, particularly in shooting efficiency and the fourth quarter.
Shooting Efficiency Explains Much of the Result
One of the clearest statistical differences between the teams was field-goal percentage.
Golden State shot 57 percent from the field.
Los Angeles shot 52 percent.
A five-percentage-point difference is meaningful in a game decided by five points.
The Warriors also made 19 three-pointers compared with 14 for the Clippers.
Although both teams shot efficiently from long range, Golden State converted five more three-pointers. Each made three-pointer is worth three points, so that difference represents 15 points of additional scoring from made threes.
The teams did not have the same free-throw profile.
Los Angeles went 17-for-17 from the free-throw line, producing a perfect 100 percent rate.
Golden State went 13-for-21, or 62 percent.
The Clippers therefore had the clear advantage at the free-throw line. Yet Golden State’s superior field-goal and three-point production more than compensated for that difference.
Three-Point Shooting Was a Major Separator
Three-point shooting deserves special attention because the Warriors attempted 41 threes and made 19.
That is a 46 percent conversion rate.
Los Angeles attempted 35 and made 14, producing a 40 percent rate.
The Clippers’ 14 made three-pointers were still a strong total. The difference was that Golden State combined greater volume with a higher conversion percentage.
The Warriors therefore gained value in two ways:
- They attempted six more three-pointers.
- They made five more three-pointers.
That combination can rapidly alter a close game.
For analysts, this is a useful example of why raw scoring totals should be examined alongside shot distribution. A team that consistently creates efficient three-point opportunities can overcome other statistical disadvantages.
Free Throws Favored the Clippers
Los Angeles was perfect from the free-throw line.
The Clippers made all 17 of their attempts.
Golden State made 13 of 21.
This was one of the few major efficiency categories where Los Angeles clearly outperformed the Warriors.
A perfect 17-for-17 performance is particularly notable in a five-point game. Had the Clippers struggled from the line, the final margin could have looked very different.
Instead, Los Angeles converted every opportunity it received.
That makes Golden State’s shooting performance even more important. The Warriors won despite leaving eight free throws unconverted.
Turnovers: An Advantage for Los Angeles
Golden State committed 20 turnovers.
Los Angeles committed 17.
The Clippers therefore had three fewer turnovers.
This is another area where the Warriors did not have the statistical advantage.
Turnovers can create additional possessions for an opponent, so giving the ball away 20 times can be costly. Yet Golden State’s superior shooting compensated for its turnover problem.
This illustrates an important box-score lesson: no single statistic determines the winner.
A team can lose the turnover battle, lose the free-throw efficiency battle and still win if it creates enough value through shooting and scoring.
Steals: Clippers Create Defensive Pressure
Los Angeles recorded 15 steals compared with 12 for Golden State.
That three-steal advantage indicates that the Clippers generated more defensive disruption.
Combined with the Warriors’ 20 turnovers, the defensive pressure from Los Angeles was meaningful.
Yet again, the Clippers could not turn that defensive advantage into a victory.
The Warriors’ ability to convert their offensive opportunities at a higher rate ultimately outweighed the Clippers’ edge in steals.
Rebounding Was Completely Even
Both teams collected 36 rebounds.
This is one of the simplest comparisons in the box score.
Neither side controlled the boards.
John Collins led the Clippers with 9 rebounds, while Brandin Podziemski led Golden State with 7.
Because the overall rebounding total was tied, there was no meaningful team advantage in this category.
That reinforces the conclusion that the game was primarily decided by offensive efficiency and fourth-quarter execution.
The Fourth Quarter Changed Everything
If there is one section of the box score that deserves the most attention, it is the final quarter.
Golden State scored 43 points.
Los Angeles scored 32.
The Warriors therefore won the fourth quarter by 11 points.
That was enough to reverse the game.
This late surge is especially significant because the Warriors had scored 22 points in the first quarter. The contrast between their opening period and their final period shows how dramatically their offensive output changed.
The Clippers, meanwhile, remained productive in the fourth quarter with 32 points. Their problem was that Golden State’s offense was even more effective.
This was not a case of Los Angeles completely collapsing offensively. It was a case of Golden State producing an exceptional scoring burst at exactly the moment it mattered most.
What the Team Stats Reveal
Looking beyond individual players provides a clearer picture of the overall matchup.
Golden State’s most important statistical strengths were:
- 57 percent field-goal shooting.
- 46 percent three-point shooting.
- 19 made three-pointers.
- 43 fourth-quarter points.
- 126 total points.
- 12 steals.
The Clippers’ strongest statistical areas included:
- 100 percent free-throw shooting.
- 30 assists.
- 15 steals.
- 17 turnovers compared with Golden State’s 20.
- 52 percent field-goal shooting.
- 36 rebounds.
The interesting part is that Los Angeles won several traditional box-score categories.
The Clippers had more assists.
The Clippers had fewer turnovers.
The Clippers had more steals.
The teams had identical rebounding totals.
Los Angeles also shot 100 percent from the free-throw line.
Still, Golden State won.
The explanation is shooting efficiency, three-point production and the fourth quarter.
Why the Warriors’ 126 Points Matter
Scoring 126 points in a Play-In game demonstrates the level of offensive production Golden State achieved.
The Warriors did not win through a slow, defensive contest. They won by matching the Clippers’ scoring for most of the game and then producing an enormous final quarter.
Their 57 percent field-goal shooting was the foundation.
Their 19 made three-pointers added another major layer.
And the fourth-quarter explosion completed the comeback.
From an analytical standpoint, this combination is more informative than simply saying that Curry scored 35 points.
Curry’s scoring was important, but the Warriors’ overall shot-making made the comeback possible.
Why the Clippers Lost Despite Scoring 121
Losing after scoring 121 points can seem surprising.
However, the scoreline shows that Los Angeles was not offensively ineffective.
The Clippers shot 52 percent from the field, made 14 three-pointers and converted all 17 free throws.
They also received 23 points from Collins and 21 each from Leonard and Garland.
Those numbers are consistent with a team that generated plenty of offense.
The central issue was that Golden State generated even more.
In a high-scoring game, being good offensively is not always enough. The opposing team may simply be more efficient.
That is what happened here.
A Closer Look at Offensive Balance
Golden State’s top three scorers combined for 75 points.
Curry had 35.
Santos had 20.
Porzingis had 20.
Los Angeles also had three major scorers.
Collins had 23.
Leonard had 21.
Garland had 21.
Their combined total was 65 points.
The Warriors’ top three therefore produced 10 more points than the Clippers’ top three.
That does not mean the entire outcome can be reduced to those six players, but it does show how Golden State’s leading scoring group produced more.
The Warriors also finished with 126 points overall compared with 121 for Los Angeles.
Play-In Pressure and Statistical Interpretation
An NBA Play-In game is different from an ordinary regular-season matchup because the result can immediately affect postseason survival.
That context makes the fourth-quarter numbers even more meaningful.
Golden State was behind after the first three quarters but responded with its highest-scoring period.
This type of response demonstrates why game-flow analysis matters.
If someone only looked at the first-quarter score, they would see a Clippers team in control.
If they only examined assists, steals or turnovers, they could find several areas where Los Angeles held an advantage.
If they looked exclusively at free throws, the Clippers were perfect.
But when the entire game is considered, Golden State’s shooting and fourth-quarter production explain the result more convincingly.
What Fans Should Take From the Box Score
The most useful lesson from this game is that box-score analysis should never depend on one statistic.
A player can score 35 points and still need teammates to win.
A team can have more assists and fewer turnovers and still lose.
A team can shoot 100 percent from the free-throw line and still lose.
The Warriors demonstrated the value of efficient field-goal shooting and perimeter scoring. The Clippers demonstrated that strong ball movement, defensive pressure and free-throw execution can still produce an excellent offensive performance.
The final difference was only five points.
That is why the details matter.
Most Important Individual Performances
Stephen Curry
Curry’s 35 points made him the game’s leading scorer from the Warriors.
His production was central to Golden State’s 126-point total.
John Collins
Collins led the Clippers with 23 points and 9 rebounds.
He was Los Angeles’ most productive individual scorer and rebounder.
Kawhi Leonard
Leonard scored 21 points and remained one of the Clippers’ principal scoring contributors.
Darius Garland
Garland also scored 21 points, giving Los Angeles three players with at least 21.
Gui Santos
Santos added 20 points and provided important secondary scoring for Golden State.
Kristaps Porzingis
Porzingis matched Santos with 20 points.
Draymond Green
Green recorded 9 assists, leading the Warriors in playmaking.
Kris Dunn
Dunn led the Clippers with 10 assists and helped Los Angeles finish with 30 team assists.
Comparing the Two Teams Statistically
The most useful comparison can be summarized this way:
| Statistical Area | Advantage |
| Final Score | Warriors |
| Field Goal Percentage | Warriors |
| Three-Point Percentage | Warriors |
| Made Three-Pointers | Warriors |
| Free-Throw Percentage | Clippers |
| Free Throws Made | Clippers |
| Rebounds | Even |
| Assists | Clippers |
| Turnovers | Clippers |
| Steals | Clippers |
| Blocks | Even |
| Fourth-Quarter Scoring | Warriors |
| Total Points | Warriors |
This table explains why the final score alone does not tell the entire story.
Los Angeles had several statistical advantages, but Golden State dominated the categories that had the greatest effect on scoring efficiency.
The Biggest Statistical Lessons From the Game
Several lessons stand out from the numbers.
Efficiency Can Outweigh Possession Errors
Golden State committed 20 turnovers, three more than Los Angeles.
Yet the Warriors shot 57 percent from the field.
The lesson is that turnovers matter, but their impact depends on what happens with the possessions a team does use.
Three-Point Volume Matters When Efficiency Is High
Golden State attempted 41 three-pointers and made 19.
The Warriors were not merely shooting frequently. They were converting at a 46 percent rate.
That combination created a major scoring advantage.
Late-Game Scoring Can Override Early Deficits
The Clippers led after three quarters.
Golden State still won.
The 43-point fourth quarter was the defining statistical development.
Supporting Scorers Matter
Curry scored 35, but Santos and Porzingis each scored 20.
That 40 combined points from the supporting group helped prevent the Clippers from focusing exclusively on Curry.
A Team Can Lose Despite Strong Free-Throw Shooting
The Clippers made every free throw they attempted.
Even so, they lost because Golden State generated more value from field goals and three-point shooting.
What Makes This Box Score Worth Studying
This game is particularly useful for anyone learning how to read basketball statistics because it contains several contrasting signals.
The Clippers had:
- More assists.
- Fewer turnovers.
- More steals.
- Perfect free-throw shooting.
The Warriors had:
- Better field-goal percentage.
- Better three-point percentage.
- More made three-pointers.
- A massive fourth-quarter scoring advantage.
Neither statistical profile is meaningless.
Instead, the game shows how different categories interact.
A team does not need to win every statistical battle. It needs to create enough advantages in the areas that most directly influence the final score.
Golden State did that.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was the leading scorer in the game?
Stephen Curry led all Warriors scorers with 35 points. John Collins was the Clippers’ leading scorer with 23 points.
What was the final score?
The Golden State Warriors defeated the LA Clippers 126-121 on April 16, 2026.
Who led the Clippers in rebounds?
John Collins led Los Angeles with 9 rebounds.
Who had the most assists for the Warriors?
Draymond Green led Golden State with 9 assists.
Which team shot better from three-point range?
Golden State shot better, making 19 of 41 three-point attempts for 46 percent. The Clippers made 14 of 35 for 40 percent.
Why did the Warriors win?
The strongest statistical reasons were Golden State’s 57 percent field-goal shooting, 19 made three-pointers and 43-point fourth quarter. Those advantages outweighed Los Angeles’ edges in assists, turnovers, steals and free-throw shooting.
Conclusion
The April 16, 2026 Play-In meeting between Golden State and Los Angeles was decided by execution rather than a complete statistical domination by one team.
The Clippers played an efficient game. They shot 52 percent from the field, made 14 three-pointers, converted all 17 free throws, collected 36 rebounds and finished with 30 assists. John Collins, Kawhi Leonard and Darius Garland all reached at least 21 points, while Kris Dunn supplied 10 assists.
Golden State simply produced more offensive power when it mattered most.
Stephen Curry led the Warriors with 35 points, while Gui Santos and Kristaps Porzingis each scored 20. Draymond Green contributed 9 assists, and Brandin Podziemski led the team with 7 rebounds.
The defining number was 43.
That was Golden State’s fourth-quarter point total.
After entering the final period behind, the Warriors scored 11 more points than the Clippers in the fourth and finished with a 126-121 victory.
The broader lesson from these statistics is that basketball results are rarely explained by one category. Los Angeles won the assist battle, turnover battle and steal battle while shooting perfectly from the free-throw line. Golden State responded with superior field-goal efficiency, stronger three-point production and a remarkable final quarter.
For anyone studying this matchup, those details provide a much clearer understanding of the game than the final score alone.
