Clippers Secure 5th Seed, Warriors Headed to Play-In as Western Bracket Finalized

 

SAN FRANCISCO — With 7:36 left in the third quarter, Jimmy Butler III leaned over at the free throw line, gasping for air — a true embodiment of "Playoff Jimmy" as he and the Golden State Warriors found themselves in a gritty showdown against Kawhi Leonard, James Harden, and the LA Clippers.

For several Western Conference teams, the final day of the regular season already felt like the playoffs. It took overtime to sort out the seeding chaos, with the Clippers edging the Warriors 124-119 at Chase Center to wrap up one of the most unpredictable finishes in recent memory.

Heading into Game 82, seeds four through ten in the West were still up for grabs. Only Oklahoma City, Houston, and the Los Angeles Lakers had locked in top-three positions.

Despite a turbulent week that included the firing of both their head coach and general manager, the Denver Nuggets secured the No. 4 seed with a 126-111 victory over the Rockets — their third straight win under interim coach David Adelman. Nikola Jokic and the Nuggets will now face the fifth-seeded Clippers, fresh off their dramatic win in San Francisco.

Meanwhile, LeBron James and the third-seeded Lakers will face off against Anthony Edwards and the Timberwolves. Minnesota avoided the play-in scenario by taking care of business in a 116-105 win over Utah, behind a dominant 43-point performance from Edwards.

“We didn’t want to be in the play-in,” Edwards said postgame. “I’ve been there. We want the full week to prepare.”

According to Elias Sports Bureau, it’s the first time since conference play began in 1970-71 that three teams from the same conference clinched a playoff berth on the season’s final day.

2025 NBA Playoffs Outlook

• Top seeds: Oklahoma City and Houston await their opponents from the play-in tournament.

• Play-in matchups: Warriors (7) will host the Grizzlies (8), while the Kings (9) face the Mavericks (10).

• Postseason headlines: Stars, matchups, and X-factors across all 20 teams.

Sunday’s marquee game lived up to the hype. Leonard, rounding into form as a two-time Finals MVP, dropped 33 points with 7 assists and 6 rebounds. Harden added 39 points, 10 assists, and 7 rebounds, drilling two crucial threes to open overtime.

“We’re a good team, and we’re ready to show the world,” Harden told ESPN on the court.

Stephen Curry, battling through a thumb injury, led Golden State with 36 points. Butler added 30 points and 9 rebounds, briefly hobbled after a late collision with Leonard but staying in the game.

“I’ll be alright,” Butler said. “I’ll go home, play some dominoes, drink some coffee — that’ll fix me up.”

The Associated Press contributed to this report.