Al Horford’s late four 3-pointers lift Warriors to 126-121 play-in win over Clippers
Al Horford sank four pivotal 3-pointers in the final 5:37 as the Golden State Warriors beat the Los Angeles Clippers 126-121 in the Western Conference play-in, sending Golden State to Phoenix.
Al Horford’s late surge handed Golden State a dramatic 126-121 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday in Inglewood, California. The veteran forward buried four 3-pointers in the last 5:37 to erase a deficit and secure the Warriors’ win. Golden State will now travel to Phoenix for a sudden-death play-in game against the Suns on Friday to decide the West’s No. 8 seed. The loss ends the Clippers’ season and leaves questions for the franchise heading into the offseason.
Horford’s late 3s seal the victory
Al Horford transformed the closing minutes with a sequence of long-range shots that shifted momentum decisively toward the Warriors. His four triples in the final 5:37 accounted for the majority of Golden State’s late scoring run and stifled a Clippers rally. Horford’s poise and outside accuracy provided a veteran counterweight to a young Warriors roster that has wrestled with injuries and inconsistency this season.
The timing of the shots magnified their impact, coming during a tense stretch when possessions were at a premium. Horford’s conversions forced the Clippers to scramble defensively and freed teammates for easier looks. The result was a five-point margin at the final horn and a spot in the sudden-death matchup with Phoenix.
Game flow and turning points
The contest unfolded as a back-and-forth affair, with neither side able to sustain long stretches of control. The Clippers, seeded ninth, matched the Warriors possession for possession through much of the game before Horford’s late run. Key turnovers and missed opportunities in the fourth quarter tilted the balance in Golden State’s favor.
Both teams traded runs, and several lead changes kept the atmosphere electric in Inglewood. Defensive lapses by each side created open looks, but it was the Warriors who executed in the clutch. Golden State’s ability to hit timely perimeter shots in the waning minutes proved to be the decisive factor.
Kerr praises competitive will amid season challenges
Golden State coach Steve Kerr lauded his team’s resolve after a season marked by injuries and uneven performance. He highlighted the significance of a win achieved under pressure given the squad’s age profile and the setbacks they endured during the year. According to Kerr, the victory was a clear demonstration of competitive will and determination from his players.
Kerr’s comments framed the result as more than a single game, pointing to the broader context of Golden State’s campaign. The coach credited veteran leadership and collective effort for overcoming the obstacles that threatened to undermine the Warriors’ postseason chances. That perspective underscored the emotional weight of the outcome for a franchise accustomed to deeper playoff runs.
Playoff implications and upcoming matchup in Phoenix
With the win, Golden State advances to Phoenix for a one-game showdown against the Suns on Friday to determine the West’s No. 8 seed. The victor will face the Oklahoma City Thunder in the first round of the playoffs, setting up a compressed and high-stakes path for whichever club emerges. The sudden-death format amplifies urgency and places an emphasis on health, rotation depth, and late-game execution.
For the Suns, hosting the Warriors adds another chapter to a season of postseason intrigue, while Golden State must now prepare for travel and a hostile environment in a brief turnaround window. Coaching staffs on both sides will weigh matchups, minutes, and tactical adjustments in a one-off scenario where small edges can decide the outcome.
Clippers’ season ends amid roster and strategy questions
The 126-121 defeat brings a sudden end to the Clippers’ season and raises immediate questions about roster construction and strategic direction. Los Angeles fought to the finish but could not contain Golden State’s veteran runs down the stretch. The elimination prompts a period of reflection for the Clippers’ front office as it considers personnel moves and coaching strategies ahead of the offseason.
Clippers players and staff will review late-game decisions and defensive schemes that allowed the Warriors to score freely in the decisive moments. Injuries and inconsistency also factored into the Clippers’ inability to close, and executives must assess how to shore up depth and defensive stability going forward. For fans in Los Angeles, the loss is the close of a campaign that fell short of expectations.
Golden State now departs Inglewood with momentum from a comeback that showcased veteran guile and late-game execution. Al Horford’s timely shooting changed the complexion of the matchup and gave the Warriors a chance to extend their season in a winner-take-all contest in Phoenix. Preparations for Friday’s play-in will demand quick recovery and strategic focus from a team hoping to parlay one dramatic win into a deeper postseason run.
