Clippers Edge Warriors 103 to 102 as Steve Kerr Is Ejected and Stephen Curry Fouls Out

INGLEWOOD Calif. — Kawhi Leonard delivered a steady two way performance and the Los Angeles Clippers survived a chaotic finish to beat the Golden State Warriors 103 to 102 on Monday night in a game defined by late drama, officiating controversy, and rare exits from two central figures on the Golden State sideline.

Leonard finished with 24 points and 12 rebounds, anchoring the Clippers on both ends as they won without James Harden, who was a late scratch because of right shoulder soreness. Rookie Kobe Sanders scored a career high 20 points, while John Collins added 18 and Kris Dunn scored 16 as all five Clippers starters reached double figures.

The latest breaking moment came with 7 minutes and 57 seconds remaining when Warriors coach Steve Kerr was ejected after arguing a no call on an apparent goaltending play involving Collins. Kerr chased officials along the sideline and had to be restrained by assistants before being tossed, a flashpoint in a game that already carried a playoff level edge.

Stephen Curry scored 27 points but struggled from the perimeter, shooting 4 of 15 from three point range and 9 of 23 overall. He fouled out with 42 seconds left, marking his first disqualification since Dec. 17, 2021. The foul came as Golden State trailed 101 to 100 following back to back three pointers by Curry that briefly swung momentum.

Dunn made both free throws after the foul, pushing the Clippers ahead 103 to 100 before Draymond Green scored in the lane to cut the deficit to one. Leonard missed a jumper on the ensuing possession, giving the Warriors a final chance, but Jimmy Butler’s 16 foot attempt fell short as time expired.

Butler scored 24 points for Golden State, which lost its eighth straight road game against the Clippers. Green recorded 12 assists despite going 0 for 6 from three and remained in the game after sustaining a rib contusion from a collision with the bench late in the first half.

The Clippers built a 94 to 81 lead early in the fourth quarter after outscoring Golden State 16 to 7, with Leonard scoring six during the surge. The Warriors answered with a 9 to 0 run fueled by Butler, setting up a tense final stretch that included Curry’s foul out and Kerr’s earlier ejection.

Neither team shot efficiently from long range. Los Angeles finished 10 of 29 from three, while Golden State went 10 of 41. The matchup also highlighted the veteran makeup of both rosters, with the Clippers averaging 30.0 years of age compared to 29.6 for the Warriors, the two oldest teams in the NBA.

Golden State entered the night having won 6 of its previous 8 games, while Los Angeles continued to find ways to close games despite lineup uncertainty. The result further tightened the Western Conference standings and underscored the impact of late game execution and discipline.

The Warriors host the Milwaukee Bucks on Wednesday to open an eight game homestand. The Clippers head east to face the New York Knicks on Wednesday as they begin a three game road trip.