Clippers Edged Warriors 103-102: Kawhi Leonard Shines as Steve Kerr Ejected
The NBA's newest rivalry chapter was written in high drama at the Intuit Dome on Monday night. In a game that felt more like a playoff battle than a regular-season matchup, the LA Clippers managed to hold off a furious fourth-quarter rally by the Golden State Warriors, winning 103-102.
The night was defined by more than just the box score; it featured the ejection of Warriors head coach Steve Kerr and Stephen Curry fouling out for the first time in over four years.
Game Recap: A Tale of Two Halves
The Clippers started strong, fueled by their home crowd and a balanced offensive attack. Despite being without James Harden (late scratch due to shoulder soreness), LA led by as many as 14 points.
The Turning Point: Kerr’s Ejection
The atmosphere shifted dramatically with 7:57 left in the 4th quarter. Steve Kerr was ejected after a heated confrontation with officials over a non-call on a potential goaltending by John Collins. The ejection seemed to fire up the Warriors, who immediately went on a 9-0 run to close the gap.
The Final Seconds
With the Warriors trailing 101-100, Stephen Curry picked up his 6th foul with 42 seconds remaining—his first time fouling out since December 2021. Kris Dunn sunk both free throws to put the Clippers up by three. While Draymond Green scored a quick layup to bring it back to a 1-point game, a final missed jumper by Jimmy Butler III at the buzzer sealed the Warriors' fate.
Key Player Statistics
| Player | Team | Stats |
| Kawhi Leonard | Clippers | 24 PTS, 12 REB, 5 AST |
| Kobe Sanders (Rookie) | Clippers | 20 PTS, 7 REB (Career High) |
| Stephen Curry | Warriors | 27 PTS, 6 AST (Fouled Out) |
| Jimmy Butler III | Warriors | 24 PTS, 6 REB, 4 STL |
| Draymond Green | Warriors | 6 PTS, 12 AST, 5 REB |
Defensive Masterclass and Shooting Struggles
Neither team found their rhythm from beyond the arc. The Warriors shot a disappointing 10-for-41 (24.4%) from three-point range, while the Clippers fared only slightly better at 34.5%.
The Clippers' victory was anchored by their rebounding (55 total) and the surprising emergence of rookie Kobe Sanders, who stepped into the starting lineup and delivered a career performance under pressure.
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