The Los Angeles Clippers held off a late Golden State Warriors rally for a 106-103 preseason victory at Chase Center on Friday night. Los Angeles moved to 3-1 while Golden State slipped to 3-2.
Golden State started slow in the first quarter, committing seven turnovers early. Stephen Curry opened with a step-back three, but Derrick Jones Jr. answered with three steals and four points to spark a 10-0 Clippers run.
Bradley Beal added six points off the bench, including a putback layup, as Los Angeles built a 31-21 edge. Al Horford countered for the hosts with three points, but Podziemski’s three turnovers hurt the offense.
The second quarter turned sloppy with 11 combined turnovers. Kobe Sanders ignited the Clippers with three triples for nine points, extending the lead to 11 midway through.
Curry trimmed the gap with a driving layup and three from deep for 12 points in the half. Los Angeles led 47-43 at the break after Jordan Miller’s tip-in.
Clippers reserves took over in the third, outscoring Golden State 38-31. Yanic Konan Niederhauser grabbed 11 rebounds and scored seven, including a hook shot and free throws.
Cam Christie added 10 points with two threes and a layup. Will Richard heated up for the Warriors with seven points, but Draymond Green’s offensive foul stalled momentum.
Golden State closed within two after Horford’s cutting layup. Los Angeles held a slim 85-74 lead entering the fourth.
The final frame saw the Warriors mount a 29-21 surge, pulling within two on Richard’s reverse layup. Pat Spencer’s nine points and six assists fueled the comeback.
Sanders sealed the win with a driving layup and two free throws for his game-high 25 points on 8-of-15 shooting. Niederhauser finished with 13 points and 11 boards, including seven offensive rebounds.
Beal tallied 12 points efficiently on 6-of-9 shooting in his preseason debut. Christie contributed 12 points with two assists.
Curry paced Golden State with 20 points, including four threes and five assists. Richard added 13 points with three steals.
Hield scored 11 points off the bench with three triples. Horford had 10 points and two assists, while Spencer dished six assists.
Los Angeles forced 23 turnovers, converting them into 24 points. The Clippers held a 54-50 edge in paint scoring.
Both teams rested key rotation players in the exhibition. Golden State shot 46.5 percent from the field.
