Clippers vs. Warriors Tonight — Play-In Battle at Chase Center, Darius Garland Debuts, Curry Still Out

Clippers vs. Warriors tips off tonight, Tuesday, March 3, 2026 ET at 10:00 p.m. ET at Chase Center in San Francisco — and this one carries genuine playoff stakes. The LA Clippers (28-31, 9th West) are road favorites against the Golden State Warriors (31-29, 8th West) in a critical Western Conference play-in positioning game. Win probability currently sits at Clippers 51.5% — Warriors 48.5%.

Game Info — Clippers vs. Warriors Tonight

Western Conference Play-In Standings — What's at Stake

The LA Clippers sit ninth in the Western Conference at 28-31, right behind the Golden State Warriors at 31-29 in eighth. Both teams are fighting for play-in positioning, making tonight's third matchup of the season carry significant playoff implications.

The Clippers are right on the Warriors' heels in the West, and a road victory tonight would substantially close the gap in the standings with the regular season entering its final stretch. Every single game from here forward is effectively a playoff game for both franchises.

Darius Garland Makes Clippers Debut Tonight

All-Star guard Darius Garland — who has not played since January 14 due to a toe injury — is set to make his season debut for the LA Clippers tonight against the Warriors. Garland's return gives the Clippers a major offensive boost alongside two-way superstar Kawhi Leonard, who is averaging a career-high 27.9 points per game at age 34.

The projected Clippers starting lineup tonight is Leonard, Garland, Derrick Jones Jr., John Collins, and Brook Lopez — though Collins and Kris Dunn remain questionable after both left Sunday's Pelicans game late.

Warriors Injury Report — Curry Out Again, Massive Absences

The Warriors will be without Jimmy Butler, LJ Cryer, Kristaps Porzingis, Will Richard, Seth Curry, and Stephen Curry tonight. Gary Payton II is listed as questionable.

Stephen Curry hit the sidelines not long after Jimmy Butler tore his ACL in mid-January. The two-time MVP will miss at least five more games to nurse a lingering knee issue — leaving the Warriors essentially operating with a reserve-heavy rotation against a healthier Clippers squad.

Clippers vs. Warriors Prediction — Advantage LA

Multiple analysts predict a Clippers victory tonight, with a predicted score of Clippers 112 – Warriors 108. The Clippers hold the edge in roster strength and recent road performances, while Golden State continues to compete hard but struggles without Curry and other key scorers.

Historical trends strongly favor the Clippers in this matchup — Golden State has lost nine of their last 10 games against Los Angeles, lost the first half in their last seven head-to-head meetings, and lost the third quarter in nine of their last 10 games overall.

Key Player Matchup — Kawhi Leonard vs. Brandin Podziemski

Kawhi Leonard is averaging 27.9 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 3.7 assists for the Clippers, and is coming off a massive 137-117 blowout win over the New Orleans Pelicans on Sunday. For the Warriors, Brandin Podziemski leads the way at 12.2 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 3.7 assists, with Moses Moody averaging 15.9 points over his last 10 games.

Kris Dunn is the Clippers' defensive tone-setter in this matchup — his ability to make the Warriors work to initiate offense, especially against a lineup already missing key creators, is critical. If Dunn forces late-clock possessions, the Warriors' three-point quality drops significantly.

Back-to-Back Factor — Clippers Playing Second Night

The Clippers arrive tonight playing the second night of a back-to-back, having beaten New Orleans 137-117 on Sunday to snap a three-game losing skid. Despite the fatigue factor, Los Angeles has won three of their last five road games, beating quality opponents including the Timberwolves, Rockets, and Nuggets on the road.

The Clippers have covered the spread in seven of their last eight games — a compelling run of form heading into tonight's play-in battle at Chase Center. Tip-off is at 10:00 p.m. ET.