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**SAN FRANCISCO—** What the LA Clippers desperately required to clinch their second nationally broadcast game of the season was composure.
Composure and the ability to handle pressure often go hand in hand. Reflecting on this theme, Al Pacino’s character in the 1997 film “The Devil’s Advocate” observes, “Some people thrive under pressure; others crumble.”
“I believe maintaining poise is crucial,” Clippers head coach Tyronn Lue remarked before his squad’s road matchup against the Golden State Warriors, which was a pivotal contest to secure a playoff berth and avoid the Play-In Tournament. “If you’re shouting and causing a scene with the referees and in the huddles, you lose sight of what’s really at stake. I don’t want to be that coach who’s losing control and acting out of character. It’s essential to instill confidence in your players and provide a calming presence during timeouts, enabling them to replicate that composure on the court. That has always been my guiding principle.”
The Clippers required that steady demeanor when they fell behind by 12 points in the second quarter against the Warriors, as Jimmy Butler capitalized on LA’s second unit while Stephen Curry was off the floor. They needed it as Norman Powell battled through a tough shooting night yet managed to deliver crucial go-ahead baskets to close out the second and third quarters. They needed it again when Curry poured in 18 of his game-high 36 points during the fourth quarter, giving the Warriors a 111-107 edge with less than two minutes left in regulation.
The Clippers relied on their poise in the final moments of regulation to contain the Warriors and secure their way to overtime, while all other NBA games on Sunday had concluded, and teams watched closely from afar. They also leaned on that composure to maintain the lead in overtime, ultimately clinching a 124-119 victory that completed their regular-season sweep of the Warriors, marked an impressive eight-game winning streak, and ensured back-to-back seasons with 50 wins, granting them the fifth seed in the upcoming NBA playoffs.
James Harden took charge during overtime, helping the Clippers secure the No. 5 seed and relegating the Warriors to the Play-In.
“We were down by 12, and I just told the guys to remain steadfast,” Lue recounted postgame. “Being down by 12 isn’t insurmountable for us as long as we stick to our strengths and capabilities. Our players responded well for the remainder of the game. We headed into halftime with a one-point lead, and it turned into a back-and-forth contest from there.”
Heading into the postseason, the Clippers are riding a wave, triumphing in 18 out of their last 21 games. They have become the most formidable team in the league, showcasing the best offense and defense since March 6. However, they were conscious of the heavy burden they could have faced had they not prevailed on Sunday.
Preparation for this crucial game began after a close call in Friday’s contest against the Sacramento Kings, where a 10-point lead shrank to just one with 3.9 seconds remaining. Keegan Murray intercepted an inbounds pass from James Harden, giving the Kings a chance to potentially snatch the game. Fortunately for the Clippers, DeMar DeRozan’s last-second attempt failed, sealing a narrow 101-100 victory.
Lue dismissed concerns regarding the near loss on Friday, noting he has witnessed similar scenarios throughout the season.
“Stop labeling everything as ‘concerning,’” Lue remarked. “I’ve never felt concerned. That’s part of the game. … It was a significant victory for us, so I have no worries.”
That close call prepared them for Sunday’s vital battle against the Warriors. While not entirely on the line, the stakes were high; Golden State’s head coach Steve Kerr remarked it didn’t feel akin to a Game 7. However, victory secured a playoff position, while defeat meant two chances in the Play-In Tournament to secure a spot.
That’s where Lue’s anxieties began to surface, and perhaps it trickled down to the Clippers’ fan base as well. This team had not tasted defeat throughout April but was poised to win a nationally televised road game in hostile territory to evade the Play-In Tournament. In 2022, the Clippers managed to reach the Play-In despite a dismal season due to the absences of Kawhi Leonard and Paul George, only to squander their chances in that round.
“If you’re significantly ahead of the ninth and tenth seeds and have fought so hard to get here, then it becomes daunting,” Lue acknowledged in Sacramento, cautious about formidable potential Play-In team matchups like the Dallas Mavericks, despite their losing record. “These teams are capable of winning just two games in a row to enter the playoffs. It’s tough because it diminishes the significance of the entire 82-game regular season and reduces it to two pivotal games. Anyone can catch fire; anything can happen. It’s a challenging situation.”
The Clippers had a fair understanding of the potential pitfalls. However, they also appreciated the value of the regular season, seizing the opportunity to shape their playoff destiny. Fortunately, they boasted the capability to achieve just that.
Leonard expressed that Friday’s game was particularly challenging due to the defensive scrutiny he faced, with moments late in the match leaving him exasperated due to missed calls that sent him sprawling. By Sunday’s game, he bore a visible reminder of that tussle, yet he persevered. Scoring 33 points against the Warriors, he significantly impacted the contest, finishing with a game-high plus-minus of 17 in nearly 48 minutes of play.
“It feels amazing to reach the playoffs after everything I’ve endured,” Leonard stated. “Now, I just need to stay on this path and maintain my current feeling as we move forward. I aim to have a healthy offseason, and that’s the goal.”
Despite Powell not having his best outing, with only 11 points on 4-of-13 shooting and struggling from beyond the arc, his buzzer-beater three-pointer at halftime was pivotal, as it capped a sequence in which Leonard, Harden, and Curry all converted three-pointers in rapid succession. Powell’s sweeping hook shot ultimately gave the Clippers a lead as they entered the fourth quarter.
Throughout the match, Powell sensed support from his teammates.
“I felt a bit down about my performance at that juncture,” Powell noted postgame. “Harden reassured me that none of it mattered; he emphasized my talent. It’s about staying engaged until the next moment arises. That’s what teamwork is all about—lifting one another up, cheering each other on, and finding ways to secure a victory.”
Kris Dunn, tasked with guarding Curry, displayed defensive poise during a game where Curry committed eight turnovers. The former lottery pick has battled back from injuries that hindered his career progression after being selected fifth overall by the Timberwolves in 2016. In only the second game of his career, Dunn logged significant minutes.
“Players of their caliber, like Steph and others, are too exceptional,” Dunn remarked after snagging three steals in over 35 minutes on the court. “You must maintain a combative mentality and strive to make it challenging for them while making crucial plays.”
Although Dunn may miss out on All-Defensive honors due to eligibility rules, Ivica Zubac shone brightly against Defensive Player of the Year contender Draymond Green, concluding the season on a high note with 22 points on 11-of-16 shooting—marking his 29th 20-point game of the season, as he had only recorded 16 in his first eight seasons combined. Additionally, it was Zubac’s tenth game this season finishing without a personal foul, and he dominated the boards, outebounding the entire Warriors starting lineup 17-14.
However, Zubac expressed admiration for Harden’s performance. The star guard flourished in overtime, putting up 12 of his game-high 39 points in that crucial period. He sealed the win with a high arching three-pointer over Butler.
“James hitting those three-pointers, especially the one he shot over Jimmy—it felt like it hung in the air for ages,” Zubac recalled. “It was exhilarating. When big-time players step up in high-stakes situations—it’s a confidence booster.”
The Clippers now face heightened expectations. A team that wasn’t even projected by Las Vegas to secure 40 wins has emerged as a top-five contender in the Western Conference for five of the last six years. They are set to face the Denver Nuggets in the first playoff game on Saturday afternoon, led by MVP candidate Nikola Jokic and former Clipper Russell Westbrook. Yet, it’s worth noting that Denver recently dismissed championship coach Michael Malone, who had previously guided the Nuggets to triumph over the Clippers in the 2020 playoffs after LA held a 3-1 series lead with former coach Doc Rivers.
Last season, the Mavericks occupied the fifth seed but managed to outlast the Clippers in the quarterfinals and made a successful run to the NBA Finals, all while entering the postseason as the league’s most formidable team. While it has been a fruitful season for the Clippers, they harbor ambitions for more. Leonard has lost ample time to injury, and Harden has sought that elusive championship since entering the league in 2009. The Clippers have enjoyed 14 consecutive winning seasons without making an appearance in the finals.
Their poise has guided them into the playoffs—now is not the time to let up.
“It’s time to get to work,” the Clippers declared. pic.twitter.com/P38jCe3q7I
— LA Clippers (@LAClippers) April 15, 2025
“We aspire to go further,” Zubac stated. “Our objective was to reach the playoffs, yet we’re not satisfied with merely that. We’re pleased to have entered directly without facing the Play-In, especially after the doubts cast upon us. Proving everyone wrong feels rewarding. There were predictions of us winning 30 or 35 games. Securing 50 wins is a solid achievement, yet we have more challenges ahead.”
Law Murray is a staff writer for The Athletic, covering the LA Clippers. Before joining The Athletic, he served as an NBA editor at ESPN, worked as a researcher at NFL Media, and contributed to DrewLeague.com and ClipperBlog. Law hails from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and holds degrees from California University of Pennsylvania and the University of Southern California. Follow Law on Twitter @LawMurrayTheNU.
