In the October 18, 2025 preseason matchup between the Clippers and the Warriors, the Clippers built a lead in the first and third quarters, but the Warriors stayed close in the fourth and nearly forced overtime. Luckily for the Clippers, the Warriors missed the game-tying shot in the final moments, and Los Angeles narrowly won 106–103. Notably, Paul, Leonard, Harden, Paul, Batum, and Lopez all did not play in this game.
The Clippers’ victory was largely thanks to their bench trio. Sanders was arguably the biggest surprise, displaying a well-rounded offensive game. He not only showed three-point shooting ability but also excellent driving skills, both of which had a major impact on the flow of the game. Sanders finished with 25 points, and given his size and skill set, he could earn a significant role next season.
Niederhauser also impressed. His standout contribution came on defense, as he was able to effectively protect the rim and limit opponents’ scoring. He also secured rebounds efficiently. Although he missed both of his three-point attempts, his overall impact remained solid—he went 5 of 10 for 10 points and maintained a decent free-throw percentage, providing stable output.
Christie maintained consistent scoring as well. He played very well in the third quarter, scoring consecutively. Shooting 4 of 6, he scored 12 points and added 2 assists, continuing his streak of strong preseason performances. Together, these three bench players were instrumental in the team’s success.
There were also surprises among the starters. Beal, in his return, scored 12 points on 6 of 9 shooting across just two quarters, showing excellent efficiency. He also displayed strong defensive intensity, helping maintain the team’s defensive aggressiveness. The main concern for Beal remains his health, which will be a key focus for the upcoming season.
However, without Harden leading the team, Zubac completely struggled. After some previous strong outings, he has been in poor form over the past two games. In this matchup, he shot 1 of 3 and committed 4 turnovers, delivering a very disappointing performance.
