The Golden State Warriors tipped off their 2026-27 NBA preseason slate with a 104 101 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers in Honolulu on Sunday. Steph Curry, Draymond Green, and Al Horford were limited to first-half minutes in the exhibition, which saw the Warriors erase a 13-point deficit before falling on a late Keaton Wagler jumper. The team is looking to build chemistry.
Steph Curry scored 10 points and hit two three-pointers in his first half of action. Draymond Green was active defensively, recording three steals without a turnover. Al Horford made his first three-point attempt but missed his next three from deep. The Warriors' bench unit, led by Charles Bassey (12 points), Brandon Williams (11 points), and Graham Ike (11 points), fueled the comeback attempt in the second half.
Both teams showed expected preseason rust, with shooting percentages well below regular-season standards. The game was decided in the final seconds when Clippers guard Keaton Wagler hit a step-back jumper with 12.8 ticks left on the clock. It was a familiar scene in Hawaii, where the Warriors lost a thriller two years after Lindy Waters hit a buzzer-beating three for a win in我们发现2024.
First-round pick Yaxel Lendeborg had a memorable introduction to the NBA. After a referee told him to tuck in his jersey on the opening possession, the rookie promptly sank a corner three for the game's first points. His physical tools were immediately apparent. Lendeborg used his length to bother Brook Lopez and grabbed a game-high seven rebounds in just 14 first-half minutes.
His offensive output was limited to three points on 1-of-5 shooting. Lendeborg had a shot blocked by Kris Dunn at the rim and passed up a transition opportunity in the third quarter that will likely be a coaching point. But his defensive presence, including a sprint-down block on Gradey Dick, offered a clear glimpse of his potential. Coach Steve Kerr will want to see more aggression from the young big man as preseason continues.
This exhibition game is the first step in addressing recent struggles. The Warriors' form at the end of the 2025-26 regular season was a concern, with the team losing its final three games.
Preseason is about evaluation and rhythm, not wins. Integrating new pieces like Lendeborg and getting veterans like Curry and Green their reps is the primary goal. The team will review film from this game to clean up execution before their next exhibition. Fans can track the team's progress and the full preseason schedule on our schedule page.
The Warriors continue their training camp in Hawaii with more practices before their next preseason contest. The focus will be on sharpening offensive sets and defensive communication. Players competing for rotation spots, such as Brandin Podziemski, Gui Santos, and Charles Bassey, will get extended looks.
For established stars, managing workload is key. Curry's iconic warm-up routine already electrified the sold-out Stan Sheriff Center crowd, a reminder of his global draw. But his and Green's minutes will be carefully monitored throughout October. The real tests begin when the regular season opens, but these early games set the foundation for the campaign ahead.
