Golden State Warriors vs LA Clippers Prediction: Will Steph Or Kawhi Advance In the Play-In Tournament?
Updated July 9, 2026
Wednesday's Western Conference play-in elimination game between the Golden State Warriors and the LA Clippers brings heavy postseason pressure, with both teams one loss away from being knocked out. The Clippers hold home court after finishing the regular season at 42-40, while the Warriors enter at 37-45, needing a near-perfect effort from Stephen Curry and company to extend their season. Before tip-off in Warriors vs Clippers, continue scrolling to get my prediction for the game.
This game follows a recent 115-110 Clippers win over the Warriors in Los Angeles, where the Clippers closed strong in the fourth quarter and enjoyed perimeter shooting efficiency. Golden State struggled from deep in that game, and their offense stalled late despite a strong scoring effort from Stephen Curry.
Another major storyline is availability and minutes distribution. Curry has recently returned from injury and has been operating under a minutes restriction. On the Clippers' side, their defensive structure and balanced scoring have been enough to offset absences, especially at home, where they finished 23-18.
The season series also leans toward Los Angeles, which won 3 of 4 meetings between these teams this season. That trend adds pressure on Golden State to adjust tactically in a single-elimination setting where they can't afford to just bounce back in the next game.
LA Clippers
Golden State Warriors
Category | Golden State Warriors | LA Clippers |
|---|---|---|
Points per game | 114.6 | 113.8 |
Team Field Goal % | 46% | 48% |
Rebounds per game | 42.3 | 40.6 |
Assists per game | 28.9 | 23.7 |
Past meetings this season: Clippers lead 3-1, including a 115-110 win in the most recent game played in Los Angeles. That result highlighted Golden State’s shooting inconsistency on the road and the Clippers’ ability to close games with perimeter shot-making.
ATS records for this season: The Clippers are 42-40 against the spread this season. Golden State enters at 35-47 against the number.
Over/under records for this season: The under is 42-40 in Clippers games this year, while Golden State is 48-34 to the over for the season.
The Clippers enter with steadier defensive execution and home court advantage, which has been significant in recent meetings between these teams. Golden State’s path to victory relies heavily on Curry producing efficient scoring in limited minutes while secondary players maintain their spacing and shot creation. I think that the Clippers ultimately win the game, but Curry does enough on offense to keep the Dubs within a couple of possessions. I'll take the points with the Warriors in this matchup from Intuit Dome.
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