warriors vs clippers

TL;DR:

Clippers beat Warriors 103-102 on January 5, 2026, in Inglewood.
Kawhi Leonard had 24 points and 12 rebounds. Rookie Kobe Sanders scored 20.
James Harden sat with a shoulder issue.
Steve Kerr was ejected. Stephen Curry fouled out late.
Officials later acknowledged a missed goaltending call on a key play.

The Los Angeles Clippers edged the Golden State Warriors 103-102 on Monday, January 5, 2026. The game swung on late calls, a coach ejection, and clutch defense in the final seconds.

Kawhi Leonard led L.A. with 24 points and 12 rebounds. Kobe Sanders added 20, while Ivica Zubac posted a double double. The Clippers held on even without James Harden, who missed the game with a stiff shoulder.

For Golden State, Stephen Curry scored 27 but fouled out in the final minute. The Warriors’ rally fell short when a last second fadeaway by Jimmy Butler III missed. Coach Steve Kerr was ejected early in the fourth quarter after arguing calls.

The swing moment

After the game, crew chief Brian Forte acknowledged a missed goaltending call on a Gary Payton II layup that had hit the backboard before being blocked. The non call and ensuing sequence created a multi point swing that mattered in a one point result. Kerr’s protest of the play drew the ejection.

Numbers that tell the story

Final: Clippers 103, Warriors 102.
Top scorer: Kawhi Leonard, 24 points, 12 rebounds.
Warriors leader: Stephen Curry, 27 points.
Turnovers: Clippers 20, Warriors 7, yet L.A. won through rebounding and late stops.

Box score snapshot

Team	Top 3 performers	Notable absences
Clippers	Kawhi Leonard 24-12, Kobe Sanders 20, Ivica Zubac 10-11	James Harden, shoulder
Warriors	Stephen Curry 27, Jimmy Butler III 24, Draymond Green 12 AST	—

Data from AP recap, NBA.com box score, and Reuters report.
How it affects both teams

The result extended a strong Clippers run. L.A. has won seven of eight while juggling injuries. Holding off a late Warriors push without Harden suggests their defense can close games.

For Golden State, the narrow loss stings as the club starts a long homestand on January 7 against Milwaukee. Foul trouble for Curry and late game execution remain pressure points to solve.

Key takeaways

Clutch defense beat turnover math. L.A. overcame 20 turnovers with stops in the last minute.
Star availability matters. Even minus Harden, Leonard’s two way load and depth pieces like Sanders carried enough.
Whistles are part of the story. A missed goaltend and Kerr’s ejection shaped pace and emotions. The league’s current rules do not allow review of that specific play.

Why it matters

These teams often meet in tense, high leverage games. January wins set tone and tie breakers that can decide playoff seeding in April. One possession outcomes also reveal what each side trusts late, from matchups to inbound sets and who gets the last shot. The Clippers passed a stress test. The Warriors left with questions.

What’s next

Clippers: Monitor Harden’s shoulder and continue to build late game reps around Leonard lineups.
Warriors: Use the homestand to reset rotations and reduce late fouls, starting with the Bucks on Wednesday, January 7, 2026.

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