Post by : Maya Rahman

The Golden State Warriors delivered a dominant performance on Tuesday night, defeating the Los Angeles Clippers 98-79 at the Chase Center in San Francisco. Jimmy Butler led the Warriors with 21 points in a balanced team effort that snapped the Clippers’ seven-game winning streak against Golden State. The Warriors controlled the tempo throughout the game, using strong defense and sharp outside shooting to secure their third consecutive victory of the season.

Jimmy Butler impressed with his efficient play, scoring 21 points without attempting a single free throw. Known for his aggressive drives and ability to draw fouls, Butler relied instead on clean shooting, going 9-for-12 from the field and 3-for-4 from three-point range. He also contributed five rebounds and five assists, helping his team maintain offensive rhythm and defensive stability throughout the match.

Despite getting to the free-throw line only four times all night, the Warriors made up for it with strong perimeter shooting. They hit 17 of 45 shots from beyond the arc, finishing with a solid 37.8 percent accuracy. Their ability to stretch the floor forced the Clippers to defend the perimeter aggressively, which opened up opportunities for Golden State’s inside scoring. Stephen Curry, as always, played a major role in this success, adding 19 points and eight assists.

After a competitive first half, the Clippers fell apart offensively in the second. They entered halftime leading 49-46 but managed only 30 points in the final two quarters. Golden State’s relentless defense, anchored by Draymond Green, limited Los Angeles to just 36.6 percent shooting from the field and a disappointing 6-of-33 from three-point range. The 79-point total was the Clippers’ lowest since October 2021.

James Harden started the game strongly, scoring all 20 of his points in the first half. However, the Warriors’ defense completely shut him down after the break, forcing turnovers and disrupting his rhythm. Harden still contributed from the free-throw line, going 7-for-7, but his inability to score in the second half left a major scoring gap for the Clippers. Despite the loss, he was still the team’s leading scorer, followed by Kawhi Leonard with 18 points and Ivica Zubac with 14.

For Golden State, the victory was a team effort. In addition to Butler and Curry, Quinten Post and Brandin Podziemski both added 12 points. Post also grabbed a team-high eight rebounds, showing his growing importance to the Warriors’ frontcourt. Draymond Green filled the stat sheet with seven points, seven rebounds, four assists, and three steals, once again proving his defensive value to the team.

Defense was the real difference-maker for Golden State. The Warriors forced 16 turnovers from the Clippers, which they converted into fast-break points and open shots. Their defensive rotations were sharp, and they consistently pressured LA’s key scorers. The team’s defensive cohesion, led by Green and Butler, completely disrupted the Clippers’ offensive rhythm.

Los Angeles entered the game on a two-game winning streak but struggled to find any consistency against the Warriors’ defense. Kawhi Leonard and Harden combined for 38 points, but no other Clippers player stepped up to relieve the scoring burden. The team’s shooting woes and lack of ball movement in the second half ultimately sealed their fate.

The win marks another strong showing for the Warriors, who have now built significant momentum early in the season. Their ability to blend efficient shooting, disciplined defense, and balanced scoring makes them a serious contender in the Western Conference. The back-to-back wins against Memphis and the Clippers highlight the team’s growing confidence and chemistry.

The Warriors will look to carry this form into their upcoming fixtures, while the Clippers must quickly regroup to avoid falling back into early-season inconsistency. For Golden State, the victory not only broke a losing streak against their rivals but also reinforced their identity as a resilient and well-coordinated team under pressure. With Butler and Curry leading the charge, the Warriors are proving once again that teamwork and effort remain their biggest strengths.

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