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Warriors elder statesmen stun Clippers in comeback win 
Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry. Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

Warriors elder statesmen's playoff experience helps stun Clippers in comeback win 

The Golden State Warriors had to rely on 36-year-old Draymond Green, 39-year-old Al Horford and a hobbled 38-year-old Steph Curry. Down the stretch, the trio showed their playoff pedigree to shock the Los Angeles Clippers.

Curry scored 35 points, 28 of them in the second half, Horford sank three three-pointers in the 4th quarter and Green had two game-sealing steals while stifling Kawhi Leonard in a stunning 126-121 win.

Steph Curry led Golden State Warriors in another big game

Playing in only his fifth game since Jan. 30 after a serious knee injury, Curry started slow, scoring only seven points before halftime and looking frustrated with the referees. He briefly left for the locker room after a collision with John Collins. 

But beginning in the third quarter, Curry got hot and the Clippers were scrambling. The Warriors trailed by 10 points when Curry scored eight points on three straight possessions, including a four-point play. He followed that up with two straight deep three-pointers and finished with 16 points in the quarter.

In the fourth quarter, the Clippers extended their lead to 13 points with Curry on the bench. When Curry returned, he immediately drained another three-ball, then he and Kristaps Porzingis took turns assisting each other for layups. Then, with the game tied and under a minute to go, Curry hit the go-ahead basket while being chased by two Clippers.

Golden State Warriors trusted their experience late

Curry has won 106 postseason games in his career. Green has won 114 and Horford has won 105. That was the trio making big plays late.

Horford struggled early and at one point the Warriors were -21 with "Big Al" on the floor. In the game's final five minutes, Horford made three straight three-pointers, the last one giving the Warriors a 117-115 lead. He finished with 14 points, on four three-pointers and a monster dunk that inspired announcer Kevin Harlan to exclaim, "How can a man that old get up that high?"

Green came through on the defensive end. After Curry's go-ahead shot, he stole the inbounds pass and found Brandin Podziemski for a breakaway layup and a foul. One play later, Green stole the ball from Leonard, who had 19 points in the first three quarters and only two in the fourth.

The Warriors are old, banged-up and well past their primes. Still, their championship experience and heart earned them one more crack at the playoffs Friday night against the Phoenix Suns. The Suns are younger and healthier, but it's never smart to count out Curry and Green in a big game.

Sean Keane

Sean Keane is a sportswriter and a comedian based in Oakland, California, with experience covering the NBA, MLB, NFL and Ice Cube’s three-on-three basketball league, The Big 3. He’s written for Comedy Central’s “Another Period,” ESPN the Magazine, and Audible. com

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