A Reserve Lineup Led Late. The Starters Weren't There to Protect It
A lineup with no real starters erased a 12-point deficit and led in the fourth quarter of Golden State's preseason opener, but couldn't hold off the Clippers in the final 27 seconds, 104-101.
Stephen Curry scored 10 points in 13 minutes and sat the rest of the way, leaving Golden State's reserves to produce 72 of the team's 101 points. Charles Bassey, Graham Ike and Brandon Williams built a fourth-quarter lead before Keaton Wagler's jumper and two Cam Christie free throws closed it out for Los Angeles.
A Twelve-Point Hole
Rui Hachimura scored 21 points in 15 minutes on 8-of-11 shooting, and Darius Garland added 15 in 15 minutes, as the Clippers outscored Golden State 32-19 in the second quarter to lead 55-43 at the break. Curry was the only Warrior in double figures in the half, going 3 of 4 from the field for 10 points in 13 minutes before Kerr sat him for good; he finished a team-worst plus-minus of -14. Everyone left on the floor for Golden State was a reserve.
The Bench Takes Over
Golden State outscored the Clippers 30-22 in the third quarter to cut the gap to 73-77, then opened the fourth on a 9-0 run that flipped it to an 82-79 lead. Charles Bassey finished with 12 points and 8 rebounds, Graham Ike added 11 points, 5 rebounds and a block, and Brandon Williams scored 11 with 3 assists and a team-best plus-16. Gary Payton II was plus-14 in 12 minutes, and Brandin Podziemski was plus-7 despite making just 2 of 10 shots — defense carried this group more than scoring did. Reserves outscored the starters 72-26 for the game.
The Final Minute
Golden State led 101-100 with 27 seconds left on an Ike putback. Wagler answered with a 19-foot jumper for a 102-101 Clippers lead with 14 seconds to go. On the last possession, Blake Wesley blocked a Miles Kelly jumper, Cam Christie grabbed the rebound and drew a foul on Malevy Leons, then made both free throws for the final margin. Ike's desperation three at the buzzer was off target.
What It Means Before It Counts
The loss changes nothing on paper; Golden State stays 0-0, and preseason results don't carry into the standings. The clearer signal was the closing lineup Kerr sent out for the final five minutes — Alex Toohey, Bassey, Dalen Terry, Leons and Kelly, with no regular starter among them. Golden State hosts the Lakers in two days, the next test for a group still proving it belongs, with Porzingis out indefinitely and Moody not yet back. The regular-season opener is October 21, also against the Lakers.
What was the final score of the Warriors' preseason opener against the Clippers?
The Clippers won 104-101 on October 4, Golden State's first game of the 2026-27 preseason.
Did Stephen Curry play in the Warriors' preseason opener against the Clippers?
Yes, Curry played 13 minutes and scored 10 points on 3-of-4 shooting before Steve Kerr sat him for the rest of the game.
