Curry, Butler, Harden, and Kawhi make history with stunning final game performances ahead of playoffs

The Golden State Warriors wrapped up their regular season with a high-stakes showdown against the Los Angeles Clippers, falling in a 124–119 overtime thriller that locks them into the NBA Play-In Tournament. Despite the loss, the game made league history thanks to electric performances from Stephen Curry, Jimmy Butler, James Harden, and Kawhi Leonard.

Sunday’s battle marked the first time in NBA history that four players scored 30 or more points in the same game on the final day of the regular season. It was an epic bridge into the postseason. All four—Harden (39), Curry (36), Leonard (33), and Butler (30)—delivered in a performance-packed finale.

James Harden led the charge for the Clippers, dropping 39 points, including 12 in overtime, to help close out the win. Curry countered with a sensational second half, pouring in 21 of his 36 points during the fourth quarter and overtime, including clutch shots that nearly extended Golden State’s season momentum.

Kawhi Leonard added 33 points for L.A., while Jimmy Butler contributed 30 in a losing effort for the Warriors. The star-studded duel will be remembered as a rare display of firepower between some of the league’s most seasoned scorers on a meaningful stage.

Jimmy Butler III #10 of the Golden State Warriors dribbles the ball against the Portland Trail Blazers at Chase Center.

Jimmy Butler on the play-in mindset

As a result of the outcome and a playoffs picture ready, the Clippers lock in the No. 5 seed in the Western Conference and prepare for a first-round matchup with the Denver Nuggets. The Warriors, on the other hand, now shift their focus to the Play-In Tournament, where they will face the Memphis Grizzlies in a win-or-go-home setting.

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Jimmy Butler, newly integrated into the Warriors’ system, expressed confidence about the team’s chances moving forward. “We’re right where we want to be. We’ve still got the opportunity to control our own fate. We’re going to be just fine,” Butler said about the upcoming Play-In matchup.

Asked about how he processes a tough loss heading into the postseason, Butler kept it blunt: “Win. Don’t lose.” He expanded further, saying, “I wanted to win. I don’t care who the ball touches, who’s scoring. It didn’t end the way we wanted it to end, so we’ve got to figure something out—myself included—and hit the ground running come Tuesday.”

Butler’s impact since joining the Warriors

Since joining the Warriors, Butler has averaged 17.5 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 5.8 assists per game. Golden State has gone 23–7 with him in the lineup—a remarkable turnaround given the rocky start to their NBA 2024–25 campaign.