James Harden leads Clippers to thrilling overtime win over Warriors

Harden's 39 points guide the Clippers past the Warriors in a dramatic 124-119 overtime victory, clinching the final playoff spot.

James Harden #1 of the LA Clippers is defended by Moses Moody #4 of the Golden State Warriors during the second half at Chase Center on April 13, 2025, in San Francisco, California. Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

By Anna Fadiah and Hayu Andini

On the final day of the NBA regular season, the Los Angeles Clippers secured their spot in the playoffs with a nail-biting 124-119 overtime victory over the Golden State Warriors. James Harden's 39-point performance was the highlight of the evening, and his two critical back-to-back three-pointers in overtime ultimately sealed the win for the Clippers. This victory not only earned the Clippers the fifth seed in the Western Conference but also set the stage for a thrilling first-round matchup with the Denver Nuggets.

Clutch performance from Harden leads Clippers to victory

James Harden’s outstanding 39-point performance in San Francisco was nothing short of spectacular. With the game tied at 119, Harden sank two crucial three-pointers in overtime to push the Clippers to a hard-fought victory. The game was a high-intensity affair, with the lead changing hands 23 times throughout the contest, showcasing the competitiveness of both teams. The win capped an eight-game winning streak for the Clippers to close out the regular season, ensuring they enter the playoffs as one of the hottest teams in the West.

Harden’s clutch shooting was instrumental in securing the Clippers' playoff berth. "We knew it was gonna be a hostile environment, and the main goal was just to win the game," Harden told ESPN after the victory. "Whether it's scoring, whether it's playmaking... it's whatever it takes at this point."

Harden was not alone in his efforts. Kawhi Leonard also had a standout performance, contributing 33 points, while Ivica Zubac added 22 points to help propel the Clippers to victory.

Warriors left to fight in play-in tournament

For the Golden State Warriors, this loss means they will need to secure a spot in the playoffs through the play-in tournament. The Warriors are now set to face off against the Memphis Grizzlies on Tuesday, with their playoff hopes on the line. Despite the loss, Golden State’s star Stephen Curry put up an impressive 36 points, and Jimmy Butler added 30 points. Head coach Steve Kerr praised both teams for their performance, calling it a "big-time basketball game."

"It was a great, great game – high-level stuff, stars being stars. We came up short but not for lack of effort," Kerr said after the game. The Warriors will need to regroup quickly as they head into the high-pressure play-in tournament, with their playoff future hanging in the balance.

Clippers poised for playoff battle with Denver Nuggets

The Clippers’ thrilling victory over the Warriors set the stage for an exciting first-round series against the Denver Nuggets. With the win, the Clippers secured the fifth seed in the Western Conference and will now face the fourth-seeded Nuggets in the postseason. Harden’s leadership and the Clippers’ momentum will be key as they prepare to take on a strong Denver team led by MVP candidate Nikola Jokic.

Denver’s win over Houston secures fourth seed in West

Meanwhile, the Denver Nuggets capped off their regular season with a commanding 126-111 victory over the second-seeded Houston Rockets. This victory not only gave them the fourth seed in the West but also helped the Nuggets recover from the recent firing of head coach Michael Malone. Interim head coach David Adelman praised Serbian star Nikola Jokic, who finished the season with a triple-double average.

"I've been around special players, I've never seen any player like him," Adelman said, referring to Jokic’s remarkable consistency and all-around game. Jokic finished the game with 18 points, 7 rebounds, and 7 assists, further solidifying his case for the MVP award.

Timberwolves secure sixth seed with win over Utah Jazz

The Minnesota Timberwolves also secured their place in the playoffs with a 116-105 victory over the Utah Jazz, clinching the sixth seed in the Western Conference. Timberwolves head coach Chris Finch praised his team for their resilience throughout the season, acknowledging that the players had worked together to earn their playoff spot without relying on midseason trades or coaching changes.

"I'm super proud of their body of work this year," Finch said. "They sorted it out themselves. Those guys made the right adjustments and sacrifices and figured out who they needed to be as a team."

With the win, the Timberwolves will now face the third-seeded Los Angeles Lakers in a highly anticipated first-round series. The Lakers will be a formidable opponent, but the Timberwolves’ victory showed that they are a team to watch in the playoffs.

Playoff picture set as NBA season concludes

The regular season of the NBA is now in the books, and the playoff race is set. The Clippers' thrilling victory over the Warriors highlighted a dramatic end to the regular season, with Harden's performance serving as a reminder of his ability to shine in high-pressure moments. As the playoffs begin, the Clippers will look to continue their strong form and make a deep run, while the Warriors must navigate the uncertainty of the play-in tournament.

For teams like Denver, Minnesota, and Los Angeles, the stage is now set for postseason basketball, and fans can expect intense, high-stakes games as the NBA playoffs unfold. With the Warriors and other teams in the play-in tournament, the battle for the championship is about to intensify, and the Clippers will look to build on their strong finish to the regular season as they prepare for the next challenge.

James Harden and the Los Angeles Clippers have secured their spot in the NBA playoffs after a thrilling overtime win against the Golden State Warriors. With a first-round matchup against the Denver Nuggets on the horizon, the Clippers are entering the postseason with momentum and confidence. As the NBA playoffs begin, fans can look forward to exciting, high-stakes basketball as teams battle for the ultimate prize.