Golden State Warriors vs LA Clippers: Wagler’s Late Jumper Lifts Clippers 104-101 in Honolulu

Final score: LA Clippers 104, Golden State Warriors 101 Venue: Stan Sheriff Center, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu Date: Sunday, October 4, 2026 (preseason)

Summary

Rookie Keaton Wagler hit a step-back jumper with 12.8 seconds left to give the LA Clippers a 104-101 win over the Golden State Warriors in the preseason opener for both teams. The Warriors erased a double-digit deficit with their reserves but could not finish the comeback.

How the game unfolded

Golden State’s new “5-out” offense was on display from the first possession, and the Warriors’ first six shot attempts were all threes. The opening stretch was promising. Rookie Yaxel Lendeborg started the scoring with a corner three, and the Warriors looked organized on both ends.

Then the first half unraveled. Golden State committed 10 turnovers that led to 17 Clippers points, shot only 32.6% from the field and 30% from three, and went into the break down 55-43. Rui Hachimura and Darius Garland carried the Clippers during that stretch, and the Warriors struggled to keep the ball in front of them.

Both teams rested their veterans for most or all of the second half, which turned the game into a battle of reserves. The Warriors’ bench won it on paper, outscoring Los Angeles 30-22 in the third quarter and 28-27 in the fourth, and pulled all the way back into a one-possession game. Wagler’s jumper in the closing seconds was the difference.

Standout performers

Stephen Curry played 13 minutes in the first half and scored a team-high 10 points on 3-of-4 shooting, hitting two of three from deep. He added two rebounds and two assists, though he also had two turnovers. He sat out the second half as planned.

Draymond Green had three steals and no turnovers before leaving at halftime. Al Horford made his first three-point attempt and missed the next three.

Yaxel Lendeborg, the Warriors’ first-round rookie, played 14 first-half minutes and grabbed a game-high seven rebounds, with a transition block on Gradey Dick as his best moment. He scored three points on 1-of-5 shooting, but his size stood out against Brook Lopez.

Off the bench, Charles Bassey scored 12, while Brandon Williams and Graham Ike each added 11. Williams was one of the evening’s clear positives.

For the Clippers, Rui Hachimura led with 21 points and Darius Garland added 15. Keaton Wagler, the No. 5 pick in June, made the biggest shot of the night when it mattered. Max Strus left in the opening minutes with a non-contact right foot injury and did not return, which is the main worry from Los Angeles’ side.

What it means

The Warriors’ main concern is turnovers. Steve Kerr has stressed ball security throughout camp, and 10 giveaways in a half is exactly what he did not want to see. The encouraging news is Curry’s quick start and the way the bench fought back.

For the Clippers, the evening was a first look at a roster rebuilt after trading Kawhi Leonard and James Harden. The result matters less than the early chemistry, and the Strus injury is worth monitoring.

What’s next

Golden State has six preseason games this year. The Warriors host the Los Angeles Lakers at Chase Center on Tuesday, though Curry is not expected to play the following night in Portland. The regular season begins October 21 against the Lakers in Los Angeles. The Warriors and Clippers meet four times in the regular season, beginning November 1 at Chase Center. The Clippers head to Vancouver next for a preseason game against the Toronto Raptors.