San Francisco, CA — April 13, 2025
The Western Conference playoff race reached a dramatic conclusion on Sunday as the LA Clippers outlasted the Golden State Warriors in a 124-119 overtime thriller at Chase Center, securing the No. 5 seed and setting up a first-round matchup against the defending champion Denver Nuggets.
Clippers Clinch Behind Harden and Leonard
With the standings in flux heading into the final day of the regular season, the Clippers delivered a statement performance. Kawhi Leonard led the way with 33 points, seven assists, and six rebounds, while James Harden turned back the clock with 39 points, 10 assists, and seven rebounds, including two clutch three-pointers in overtime.
Golden State responded with a strong showing of its own. Stephen Curry, battling through a sore shooting thumb, poured in 36 points. Jimmy Butler III added 30 points and nine rebounds but limped late after a collision with Leonard.
Despite the Warriors’ push, the Clippers’ experience and execution in crunch time ultimately sealed the win.
Western Conference Final Standings
Following Sunday’s action, the Western Conference seeds from No. 4 to No. 10 are now set:
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No. 4: Denver Nuggets (def. Rockets 126-111)
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No. 5: LA Clippers (def. Warriors 124-119 in OT)
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No. 6: Minnesota Timberwolves (def. Jazz 116-105)
Western Conference Play-In Matchups
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7 vs 8: Golden State Warriors vs Memphis Grizzlies (at Golden State)
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9 vs 10: Sacramento Kings vs Dallas Mavericks
According to Elias Sports Bureau, this marked the first time since 1970-71 that three teams clinched playoff spots on the final day of the season in a single conference.
What Comes Next
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The Clippers will open their playoff series against the Denver Nuggets with Game 1 in Denver.
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The Lakers (No. 3 seed) will face the Minnesota Timberwolves (No. 6) in another must-watch opening-round series.
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Play-In games begin Tuesday with the Warriors hosting the Grizzlies.
As the postseason begins, all eyes will be on whether Harden, Leonard, and the Clippers can ride this momentum into a deep playoff run — or if Nikola Jokic and the Nuggets will defend their crown.
