The Los Angeles Clippers opened their preseason campaign with a 104-101 victory over the Golden State Warriors on Sunday at the Stan Sheriff Center in Honolulu, with Keaton Wagler playing a key role in the fourth-quarter finish.
The Clippers trailed 101-100 with 14 seconds remaining before Wagler knocked down a 19-foot step-back jumper to put Los Angeles back in front.
Wagler then finished with 15 points, three rebounds, two assists and two steals in 30 minutes. He shot 3-of-15 from the field and 1-of-11 from three-point range, but made 8-of-9 free throws.
His late scoring proved decisive after Golden State had rallied from a 10-point deficit in the third quarter and taken control early in the fourth.
Wagler had already contributed earlier in the game, assisting Derrick Jones Jr. on a pull-up jumper in the first quarter and Kris Dunn on a three-pointer in the second. He also connected on a 24-foot running jumper in the third quarter.
The Clippers entered the final period trailing 77-73, and the game remained tightly contested throughout the closing minutes. Golden State took a 99-97 lead with 59.9 seconds remaining on a Miles Kelly layup, but Blake Wesley responded with a pull-up jumper and free throw to give Los Angeles a 100-99 advantage.
Graham Ike put the Warriors back ahead 101-100 with 27.5 seconds left before Wagler delivered the go-ahead basket.
Cam Christie then sealed the win with two free throws with 2.5 seconds remaining.
Rui Hachimura led the Clippers with 21 points on 8-of-11 shooting, including 4-of-5 from three-point range. Darius Garland added 15 points and six assists while going 4-of-4 from the field and 3-of-3 from beyond the arc.
Baba Miller contributed 15 points and eight rebounds off the bench, while Blake Wesley finished with nine points and four assists.
The Clippers shot 32-of-80 (40%) from the field and 11-of-36 (30.6%) from three-point range. They outrebounded Golden State 52-49 and held a 21-18 advantage in assists.
Golden State was led by Brandin Podziemski with 18 points, while Gui Santos scored 17. Stephen Curry had 10 points in 13 minutes, shooting 3-of-4 from the field and 2-of-3 from three-point range.
The Warriors shot 37-of-95 (38.9%) overall and 6-of-33 (18.2%) from three-point range.
Los Angeles will carry a 1-0 preseason record forward after holding off Golden State in a competitive opener, with Wagler’s late shot providing the difference.
