LA Clippers vs Warriors Prediction 16 April 2026
🔊 What will unfold in the showdown between the two Californian teams? In the NBA play-in game, the Clippers take on Golden State. Both rosters boast seasoned players who tend to shine in the postseason. This is likely to ensure a steady flow of points from both sides. While both teams are capable of solid defense, this skill might take a backseat despite the high stakes of the matchup. This is one of those games where Curry and Leonard will be fully engaged. The prospects for a high-scoring affair are considerably higher.
Head-to-Head
📊 The last encounter between these opponents took place on April 13. The Clippers played at home and secured a 115-110 victory. During the recently concluded regular season, the teams faced off four times, with the Clippers holding a significant advantage (3-1).
Head-to-head statistics LA Clippers - Warriors

Los Angeles Clippers Team Overview
The Clippers continue to enhance their offensive potential. While the end of the regular season didn't yield the best results, their offensive pace is consistently improving. Even Leonard, known for his measured and pragmatic approach, often takes shots within the first 10 seconds of possession. The addition of Garland further accelerates their attacks without compromising efficiency: they boast a 48.6% shooting accuracy this season. On their home court, they can maintain these figures, especially since they've already cracked the defensive code of the Warriors.
As evidenced by past performances, the Clippers can score even against teams like Oklahoma (110-128). It's also crucial to note that the team frequently draws fouls, and their free throw shooting is the best in the NBA. In such an important and tense matchup, this aspect of their offense will be more critical than ever. And let's not forget about steals, which often become an X-factor.
Match Results: Los Angeles Clippers

Golden State Warriors Team Overview
Golden State are in emergency mode, trying to give Stephen Curry the time and opportunities to get back into top form. His performances have been somewhat inconsistent. However, against the Clippers, the sharpshooter managed to score 24 points in 28 minutes. The upcoming clash will see an increase in intensity. This should lead to improved offensive metrics. There's a familiar reliance on long-range attempts, and with Horford and Porzingis on the perimeter, this could yield certain benefits. And of course, let's not forget the excellent ball movement: the Warriors' philosophy has been honed over a decade, not just years.
On the defensive end, there are still quite a few concerns for the team. There's Horford's age and Porzingis not being in peak form. Additionally, while Curry is a boon for the offense, he can be a liability on defense. It's unlikely they'll be able to defend perfectly against the Clippers, especially on the road. On average, they concede 113.8 points per game. Moreover, they commit quite a few fouls, which could pose a problem.
Match Results: Golden State Warriors
Latest news
Los Angeles Clippers
⛔️ The hosts are dealing with injuries to Beal and Jackson.
📋 Projected lineup: Garland, Dunn, Leonard, Collins, Lopez.
Golden State Warriors
⛔️ Butler remains sidelined for the visitors due to a long-term injury. Moody and Post are also out of action. Green's participation is questionable.
📋 Projected lineup: Curry, Podziemski, Melton, Green, Porzingis.
Prediction for the 1st quarter
Head-to-Head Matches:
- Total encounters - 69;
- First quarter wins at home for the hosts - 16; for the visitors on the road - 16;
- Average total points in the first quarter: 55.41;
- Today's home team averages 26.87, while the visitors average 28.54.
First Quarter Stats: Los Angeles Clippers (home) vs Golden State Warriors (away)
- Tournament matches played: 43 vs 43;
- Number of wins: 27 (62.79%) vs 19 (44.19%);
- Number of losses: 16 (37.21%) vs 22 (51.16%);
- Number of draws: 0 (0%) vs 2 (4.65%).
- Average points scored: 30.86 vs 26.72;
- Average points conceded: 27.42 vs 27.67.
Last 10 Matches (Overall):
- Number of wins: 4 vs 4;
- Number of losses: 6 vs 6;
- Number of draws: 0 vs 0;
- Average first quarter total: 60.2 (scored - 29.5, conceded - 30.7) vs 55.5 (scored - 27.5, conceded - 28).
- Over 53.5 points in the 1st quarter in 9 of last 10 Los Angeles Clippers games (NBA).
🔝 Top Scorers
For the Clippers, Kawhi Leonard continues to be the focal point on offense, averaging 27.9 points per game. Additionally, recent acquisition Garland contributes significantly with 19.9 points. Off the bench, Mathurin is a key factor, adding 17.4 points.
Golden State heavily relies on Stephen Curry, the legendary guard who averages 26.6 points. Supporting options include Porzingis (16.1) and Podziemski (13.8). Beyond their top option, the visitors' attack is unpredictable - anyone can get hot from beyond the arc.
🏀 Three-Point Shooting
The Clippers boast a decent three-point shooting percentage at 36.8%, ranking 7th in NBA offensive ratings. Defensively, they perform well against this aspect, allowing 36.5%.
The visitors attempt more long-range shots than anyone in the league, averaging 44.4 attempts per game. However, their accuracy is lower than their opponents at 35.6%. Steve Kerr's squad is an average perimeter defense team, allowing 35.8% from beyond the arc.