NBA Play-In: Steph and Draymond Lead Dubs Previous Clippers, 76ers Advance

The 2 gamers with extra Championship DNA than anybody else within the league proved simply how beneficial it may be on Tuesday, shining within the closing minutes of the Golden State Warriors 126-121 win over the Los Angeles Clippers to keep away from elimination within the first spherical of the NBA Play-In Match.

After trailing by as many 13 factors within the fourth, Steph Curry hit a 3-pointer whereas falling into the group to place the Warriors forward for good with simply over 50 seconds remaining. Then, Draymond Inexperienced sealed the comeback effort with a pair of clutch steals that despatched the Clippers packing and added one other traditional to the Rolodex of the 2 biggest gamers in trendy franchise historical past. 

STEPH CURRY GIVES THE WARRIORS THE LEAD!

GSW 120LAC 117

50.4 TO PLAY IN A MUST-WIN GAME 🍿 pic.twitter.com/HgYTHtLlOp

— NBA (@NBA) April 16, 2026

The Warriors entered the sport as appreciable underdogs each formally and sentimentally, closing at +5.5 in opposition to a Clippers crew that received 36 of their ultimate 55 common season video games to make the playoffs after a 6-21 begin. It actually appeared like a good unfold, particularly given the truth that Curry only in the near past returned from a two month absence and the Warriors had received simply 35 video games total throughout their common season marketing campaign. 

Staying Alive

When Curry briefly went to the locker room with an undisclosed harm late within the first quarter, it appeared for a second just like the Clippers had been going to cruise with extra ease than initially presumed. Nevertheless, Golden State’s midseason acquisition Kristaps Porzingis picked the precise time to make his presence felt in that second and helped preserve the Warriors in a aggressive place when Curry ultimately did return regardless of the unlucky break to begin. 

With slightly below 10 minutes remaining within the contest, the Clippers win chance peaked at 97.6  p.c and one other Tyronn Lue playoff collapse felt unlikely—no less than for the night. However that championship DNA that Curry and Inexperienced have dropped at the Bay Space for therefore lengthy couldn’t have appeared at a greater (or worse) time to spoil these prospects, because the Warriors closed the sport on a 16-2 run and made 8-of-11 makes an attempt from 3-point vary within the fourth quarter to steal the sport.  

The Warriors turned it up within the 4th quarter🔥

Golden State erased a 13-point deficit after scoring 43 factors within the fourth quarter, their most within the fourth since March 31, 2023. pic.twitter.com/fKDSJ90szl

— ESPN Insights (@ESPNInsights) April 16, 2026

“I have been watching (Steph and Draymond) for 12 years,” Warriors coach Steve Kerr stated. “You recognize, there is a purpose we’ve got 4 championships, and it is the competitiveness, the center, the desire. it has been such a tricky yr. However to only present what they’re fabricated from, what we’re fabricated from

“With all of the wins we have ever had right here, lots of them with much more at stake, that is proper up there. Simply due to the place we’re and our age and the decline of our efficiency this yr, the accidents. It was only a a stupendous show of aggressive will.”

The Warriors will now head to Phoenix to face the Suns with the No. 8 seed within the playoffs on the road, with the winner advancing to face a traditionally daunting 64-win Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder squad. 

76ers Earn No. 7 Seed 

Earlier than Tuesday’s primary occasion stunner between the Clippers and Warriors, the Philadelphia 76ers secured the No. 7 seed within the Jap Convention with an intensive 109-97 win over the Orlando Magic at XFinity Cellular Area.

Tyrese Maxey led the 76ers with 31 factors on 11-of-25 capturing, whereas Kelly Oubre and rookie standout VJ Edgecombe added 19 factors apiece to safe a correct postseason place for the franchise after a turbulent stretch the previous few seasons. Paul George chipped in 16 factors as properly, making 6-of-16 makes an attempt from the sector and 1-of-6 from past the arc whereas accumulating 5 rebounds and doling out 5 assists. 

Maxey and firm’s offensive effort allowed the 76ers to beat a torrid evening from Orlando’s Desmond Bane, who poured in 34 factors on 10-of 16 capturing total (4-of-6 from 3) and a further 18 factors from Paolo Banchero. Nevertheless, Bane and Banchero apart, Orlando couldn’t produce one other 15 level scorer and struggled to search out any offensive rhythm as the sport progressed. 

TYRESE MAXEY TONIGHT:

31 POINTS6 ASSISTS 2 REBOUNDS 42 MINUTES pic.twitter.com/2PB7xdbJlN

— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) April 16, 2026

“I instructed the fellows I am happy with them,” 76ers coach Nick Nurse stated. “There’s many instances this yr  that I’ve instructed them I am happy with them for persevering with to choose themselves up and preserve enjoying, proper? This was this was one other instance tonight with some stakes and a few stress. I feel we performed extraordinarily laborious. I believed we made lots of successful performs.”

The 76ers advance to face the No. 2 seed Boston Celtics within the first spherical, marking the primary time since 2023 that the 2 storied rivals will meet within the postseason.