Chris Paul's Immediate Reaction After Clippers' Loss to Warriors
The Los Angeles Clippers saw their season come to an abrupt end Wednesday night, falling 126-121 to the Golden State Warriors in the Western Conference play-in tournament at Intuit Dome. Los Angeles controlled much of the game and held the lead for most of the night, but a fourth-quarter collapse proved costly as Golden State erupted for 43 points in the final period to erase the deficit and take command late.
Stephen Curry led the Warriors with 35 points, including 27 after halftime, while Draymond Green orchestrated the offense with nine assists and anchored the defense. Al Horford also played a pivotal role, knocking down timely three-pointers and asserting control in the frontcourt as Golden State surged ahead in the closing minutes.
The defeat officially ends the Clippers' season and eliminates them from playoff contention. The loss capped a turbulent year for a team that rebounded impressively from a disastrous start but could not complete its comeback when it mattered most.
Several former Clippers figures were in attendance at Intuit Dome, including future Hall of Famer Chris Paul and Ivica Zubac. After the game, Paul, who also spent one season with the Warriors, drew attention with a pointed post on his Instagram stories, sharing the viral meme, "I Stopped By One Of My Biggest Haters Funeral Today," without any caption.
Chris Paul's IG story. pic.twitter.com/2wWT9IAJBI
— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) April 16, 2026
The message immediately drew reactions from NBA fans given his fractured relationship with the franchise. That tension stems from a reunion that unraveled quickly earlier this season.
The Clippers signed Paul to a one-year deal in hopes of allowing him to finish his career close to his family in Los Angeles, but the arrangement lasted only 16 games before the team sent him home amid reported disagreements over his role and friction with head coach Tyronn Lue. Paul was later moved to the Toronto Raptors in a three-team trade before being waived, after which he retired following 21 NBA seasons.
Despite the rocky ending, Paul remains one of the most significant players in franchise history. During his first stint with the Clippers from 2011 to 2017, he helped define the "Lob City" era alongside Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan, leading the team to six consecutive playoff appearances and earning multiple All-Star selections.
The Clippers' 2025-26 campaign had been a story of recovery until Wednesday's collapse. After opening the season with a dismal 6-21 record, Los Angeles rallied with a 36-19 stretch to finish 42-40 and claim the No. 9 seed in the West. Kawhi Leonard provided steady leadership, while newcomers Darius Garland and Bennedict Mathurin played key roles in the turnaround.
Related: Kawhi Leonard Announces Off-Court News Before NBA Playoffs
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This story was originally published April 16, 2026 at 1:18 AM.