Top Ad
I DIG Radio
www.idigradio.com
Listen live to the best music from around the world!
I DIG Style
www.idigstyle.com
Learn about the latest fashion styles and more...

Wild West: Clips clinch 5 seed; Dubs in play-in

Written by 
Published in Basketball
Sunday, 13 April 2025 22:42

SAN FRANCISCO --- With 7:36 remaining in the third quarter, Jimmy Butler III was hunched over at the free throw line trying to catch his breath, looking very much like "Playoff Jimmy" as he and the Golden State Warriors were locked into a battle with Kawhi Leonard, James Harden and the LA Clippers.

For several West teams, the final day of the regular season felt like the playoffs had already begun. And it required overtime to determine the Western Conference playoff picture. The Clippers outlasted the Warriors 124-119 in overtime at Chase Center to settle one of the most chaotic regular-season finishes in recent memory.

Entering Game No. 82, the Western Conference's fourth through 10th spots were up in the air. Only Oklahoma City, Houston and the Los Angeles Lakers had secured the top three spots.

The Denver Nuggets, despite a chaotic final week in which they fired their head coach and general manager, rallied to secure the fourth seed with a 126-111 win over the Rockets. It was their third straight victory under interim coach David Adelman. Nikola Jokic and the Nuggets will now host the Clippers, who secured the fifth seed with their massive win at Golden State.

The third-seeded Lakers and LeBron James will play Anthony Edwards and the Timberwolves, who handled business with a 116-105 win over Utah. Heading into Sunday, Minnesota was at risk to drop as far as the eighth seed in some scenarios. Edwards scored 43 points after stressing to his teammates the importance of avoiding having to play at minimum one additional game.

"Like, we don't want to play in the play-in, because I've been in both situations," Edwards said. "We want to be fully prepared going into the playoffs. We want that whole week."

According to the Elias Sports Bureau, this is the first time three teams from a single conference clinched a playoff spot on the final day of the season since conferences were established in 1970-71.

Top-seeded Oklahoma City and second-seeded Houston will wait for the play-in to determine whom they will face.

Due to Golden State's loss, the Warriors will be in the play-in tournament and host Memphis in the 7-8 game. The Kings and Mavericks will square off in the 9-10 game.

The Clippers and Warriors were in the spotlight on Sunday afternoon, and the game didn't disappoint with a thrilling finish. Leonard is nearing the form that made him a two-time Finals MVP, finishing with 33 points, 7 assists and 6 rebounds. Harden hit two big 3-pointers at the start of overtime to help the Clippers win. He finished with 39 points, 10 assists and 7 rebounds.

"We're a good team, and we're excited to show the world, but we're a good team," Harden said in a postgame interview with ESPN on the court.

Stephen Curry, playing with an injured shooting thumb, finished with 36 points, and Butler had 30 points and nine rebounds. Butler also came up gimpy after Leonard drove into him late in the game but remained in the game.

"I'll be alright," Butler said. "Go home and play some dominoes and drink some coffee. That will help me feel better."

The Associated Press contributed to this story.

Read 18 times

Soccer

Kompany: Injuries were 'big issue' in Bayern exit

Kompany: Injuries were 'big issue' in Bayern exit

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsBayern Munich earned a draw at the San Siro against Inter Milan on...

Neymar exits in tears after fresh injury setback

Neymar exits in tears after fresh injury setback

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsNeymar's highly anticipated first start back in the Brazilian Champ...

Arsenal deliver 'proudest night' for Arteta vs. Real

Arsenal deliver 'proudest night' for Arteta vs. Real

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsMikel Arteta is targeting Champions League glory after celebrating...

2026 FIFA


2028 LOS ANGELES OLYMPIC

UEFA

2024 PARIS OLYMPIC


Basketball

Sources: McNair out as Kings GM after play-in loss

Sources: McNair out as Kings GM after play-in loss

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsMonte McNair is out as general manager of the Sacramento Kings, sou...

Klay exorcises 'demons' as Mavericks oust Kings

Klay exorcises 'demons' as Mavericks oust Kings

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsSACRAMENTO -- As hard as he tried not to think about last season's...

Baseball

White Sox calling up catcher Quero for MLB debut

White Sox calling up catcher Quero for MLB debut

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsCHICAGO -- The White Sox plan to call up catching prospect Edgar Qu...

White Sox DFA struggling right-hander Clevinger

White Sox DFA struggling right-hander Clevinger

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsCHICAGO -- The White Sox designated right-hander Mike Clevinger for...

Sports Leagues

  • FIFA

    Fédération Internationale de Football Association
  • NBA

    National Basketball Association
  • ATP

    Association of Tennis Professionals
  • MLB

    Major League Baseball
  • ITTF

    International Table Tennis Federation
  • NFL

    Nactional Football Leagues
  • FISB

    Federation Internationale de Speedball

About Us

I Dig® is a leading global brand that makes it more enjoyable to surf the internet, conduct transactions and access, share, and create information.  Today I Dig® attracts millions of users every month.r

 

Phone: (800) 737. 6040
Fax: (800) 825 5558
Website: www.idig.com
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Affiliated