Golden State Warriors lose 114-101 to Los Angeles…
SAN FRANCISCO — Plagued by slow begins, this time, the Warriors couldn’t end.
After coach Steve Kerr called out the Warriors’ effort while falling behind early in their last sport against the Lakers, they responded by leaping out to a 17-point first half lead against the Clippers.
It all fell aside after halftime in a 114-101 loss.
“The second half got away from us — all of us,” Kerr said. “It wasn’t one thing or one player. We struggled to score and they picked up their defensive intensity.”
Al Horford of the Golden State Warriors dribbles the ball during the sport against the LA Clippers on March 2, 2026 at Chase Center in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images) NBAE via Getty Images
Kris Dunn drained a nook 3 on the first possession of the fourth quarter to give the Clippers their first lead since early in the first period and scored 9 of his 16 factors after halftime.
Matched up nearly completely against Draymond Green, Kawhi Leonard’s 37-game streak of scoring 20 or more seemed to be in critical jeopardy — until he exploded for 15 in the second half to end with 23. Benedict Mathurin added 15 after halftime to end with 17, and Darius Garland contributed 12 off the bench in his Clippers debut.
“They were great in the second half,” Kerr said.
Golden State was locked in from the get-go on protection, turning six turnovers into 9 factors and holding the Clippers to 7-of-24 from the sphere while leaping out to a 31-19 lead after one.
“Our defense was excellent,” Kerr said. “We were flying around, getting some good shots. And we didn’t foul. … They were really good defensively in that second half. We just couldn’t get anything to go.”
Brandin Podziemski poured in 20 factors in the first half but added only two factors to that complete after halftime. Al Horford completed with 17 — a team-best 11 in the second half — but Golden State couldn’t decide up the slack.
The Warriors dedicated 10 turnovers that led to 17 factors and shot 15-of-45 (33.3%) from the sphere as they watched a 56-42 halftime lead flip into a double-digit defeat.
Darius Garland of the LA Clippers dribbles the ball during the sport against the Golden State Warriors on March 2, 2026 at Chase Center in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images) NBAE via Getty Images
What it means
There are now just 1.5 video games separating the Warriors and the Clippers in the Western Conference playoff image. LA is at present in ninth place and if Ty Lue’s squad can overtake Golden State, it will ship the Warriors to the No. 9-10 play-in matchup.
The groups meet once more, on the ultimate day of the common season.
Turning level
When Green checked out with 4:37 left in the third quarter.
The Warriors managed to maintain their halftime benefit for most of the third quarter, but the tables turned when their best defender went to the bench.
“Draymond’s effort and energy defensively set the tone for the whole first half,” Kerr said. “He was all over the place, flying around. We really were able to contain Kawhi in the first half because of Draymond.”
Leonard had only 12 factors on eight shot makes an attempt at the time. He proceeded to pour in another 11 on 4-of-6 capturing as the Clippers outscored the Warriors 53-30 from then on.
The Warriors still held a 71-61 lead at the time Green checked out. By the time the fourth quarter started, Golden State’s benefit had been cut to 79-77.
The Warriors never reclaimed a lead after Dunn sank the three to start the fourth.
“He can’t play the whole game,” Kerr said of Green, who logged 31 minutes. “But that was the key stretch.”
MVP: Nate Williams
Who? The newcomer to the Warriors — signed to a two-way contract on Feb. 17 — scored a career-high factors in 22 minutes in only his second sport with Golden State.
The 6-foot-5 capturing guard who attended close by Prolific Prep (Napa) also often switched onto Leonard, even forcing a steal and a loose-ball foul that despatched him to the foul line.
Los Angeles Clippers ahead Kawhi Leonard appears to be like to move the ball while being defended by Golden State Warriors ahead Draymond Green on Monday, March 2, 2026. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu) AP
Stat of the sport: -18
Kerr strategically staggered Green’s minutes to match up with the Clippers’ top option, and it principally labored — for the first half. Green faceguarded Leonard all sport, and Golden State was a plus-seven in his minutes before halftime — minus-2 for Leonard.
Just just like the scoreboard, that flipped in the second half.
Green completed the sport minus-18, while Leonard was plus-16.
Up next
The Warriors hit the highway for three video games, starting Thursday at the Rockets. It shall be troublesome to win without Curry at Houston, or against the Thunder on Saturday, but they end the journey with a gettable sport against the Jazz in Utah.
In addition to Curry, whose earliest return is March 13, it hasn’t been decided whether or not Kristaps Porzingis will make the journey after lacking his fifth straight sport with an sickness Kerr described as “a little mysterious.”
Stay up to date with the latest trending topics! Visit our web site daily for the freshest Sports news and content, fastidiously curated to keep you informed.
