Clippers beat the Warriors 115-110 to clinch No. 9 seed and play-in tourney rematch

INGLEWOOD, Calif. (AP) — Bennedict Mathurin had 20 points, nine rebounds and eight assists off the bench, and the Los Angeles Clippers defeated the Golden State Warriors 115-110 on Sunday to set up a rematch in the play-in tournament.

The Clippers settled for the No. 9 seed and will host the 10th-seeded Warriors on Wednesday after Portland beat Sacramento 122-110 to claim the eighth seed. The Clippers and Trail Blazers finished with identical 42-40 records, but Portland won the tiebreaker based on its better Western Conference record.

The Clippers began the season 6-21 and rallied to extend their franchise-record streak of 15 seasons with a record above .500, the longest active run in the NBA and fourth-longest in league history.

Stephen Curry scored 24 points, going 4 of 9 from 3-point range, to lead the Warriors, who finished at 37-45. Curry was limited to 29 minutes after playing in four of the last five games, having missed the previous 27 with a right knee injury.

The Clippers' bench outscored the Warriors' reserves 71-56. Besides Mathurin, Bogdan Bogdanovic had 17 points, tying his season high with five 3-pointers, including three in a row in the fourth quarter.

John Collins added 18 points and nine rebounds as one of six Clippers in double figures.

Kawhi Leonard sat out for the Clippers to rest ankle and wrist injuries, while Draymond Green was out for the Warriors with a bad back.

The Clippers hit five 3s in the fourth, when the Warriors had just one to end the game.

The Warriors tied it five times in the third quarter, but the Clippers took an 83-81 lead into the fourth.

The Clippers have won 11 of 12 at home against Golden State, including nine in a row. The Warriors haven't beaten the Clippers on the road since Nov. 28, 2021.

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Los Angeles Clippers guard Darius Garland (10) drives against Golden State Warriors center Al Horford (20) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, April 12, 2026, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Ethan Swope)

Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard (2) is defended by Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, April 12, 2026, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Ethan Swope)

Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry gestures after scoring against the Los Angeles Clippers during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, April 12, 2026, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Ethan Swope)

Los Angeles Clippers forward John Collins (20) shoots against Golden State Warriors center Kristaps Porzingis (7) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, April 12, 2026, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Ethan Swope)

SAN ANTONIO (AP) — Three-time MVP Nikola Jokic exited after playing the first half of the Denver Nuggets' regular-season finale against San Antonio on Sunday night for his 65th game played to qualify for NBA awards.

Jokic had 23 points, eight rebounds, two assists and a blocked shot while playing 18 minutes, 15 seconds in the first half.

The NBA requires players to participate in 65 games to be eligible for MVP, All-NBA and Defensive Player of the Year honors. The NBA allows two exemptions of 15 to 19:59 minutes played to count as an official game. Jokic had one exemption remaining.

Jokic was listed as questionable with an injured right wrist, but entered the finale having played in 64 games.

“Yeah, he’ll play the first half,” Denver coach David Adelman said before tipoff. “Then we’ll reconvene at halftime and see where he’s at, where the game’s at. It’s what the rules provide. So we’ll follow the rules.”

Denver needs a victory over the Spurs on Sunday to secure the third seed in the Western Conference. A Nuggets loss, coupled with a win by the Los Angeles Lakers, would drop the Nuggets to fourth and move the Lakers to third.

Jokic, who won MVP in 2021, 2022 and 2024, has been named to the All-NBA Team in seven of his 11 seasons.

Spurs All-Star Victor Wembanyama is sitting out the game after reaching eligibility in his previous game.

Wembanyama qualified for award eligibility by playing in his 65th game Friday, in San Antonio's 139-120 victory over Dallas.

Wembanyama competed in 64 regular-season games in addition to the NBA Cup Final, which does not count toward regular-season record or statistics, but does qualify as a game played.

Wembanyama suffered a left rib contusion and missed the second half of Monday's 115-102 victory against the Philadelphia 76ers. He returned Friday to post 40 points and 13 rebounds in 26:13 minutes against Dallas.

He was listed as questionable due to injury management and was ruled out after the Spurs' afternoon walkthrough.

“Yeah, he’s doing well, but just a little sore and felt it was the appropriate decision,” San Antonio coach Mitch Johnson said. “He was probably, to be honest, the closest call of the group, but just right in that kind of in between.”

Spurs guard Stephon Castle was upgraded to available after missing the past two games with a left foot soreness.

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San Antonio Spurs forward Carter Bryant (11) dunks against Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, April 12, 2026, in San Antonio. (AP Photo/Darren Abate)

San Antonio Spurs guard Devin Vassell shoots against Denver Nuggets' Nikola Jokic, left, Tyus Jones (5) and Jalen Pickett, right, during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, April 12, 2026, in San Antonio. (AP Photo/Darren Abate)

Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) passes as he is guarded by San Antonio Spurs center Mason Plumlee during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, April 12, 2026, in San Antonio. (AP Photo/Darren Abate)

Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokić, left, looks to pass the ball as Memphis Grizzlies forward Toby Okani defends in the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, April 8, 2026, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokić pulls in a loose ball in the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Memphis Grizzlies Wednesday, April 8, 2026, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)