Los Angeles Clippers vs Golden State Warriors

The Los Angeles Clippers will visit the Golden State Warriors on Friday, October 17, 2025, at the Chase Center in San Francisco. Tip-off is set for 7:00 p.m. Pacific Time, marking the final preseason game for both teams before the regular season begins. The matchup carries more importance than a typical exhibition, as both sides are looking to fine-tune rotations, test lineup chemistry, and evaluate player fitness heading into the new NBA campaign.

Heading into the game, both teams have notable absences. For the Warriors, Jimmy Butler remains sidelined with an ankle injury, and Moses Moody is out with a calf strain. Jonathan Kuminga is also unavailable after tweaking his right ankle earlier in the week. On the Clippers’ side, Kawhi Leonard and James Harden will both sit out for rest and precautionary reasons. However, Bradley Beal is expected to make his preseason debut after missing earlier games with a minor knee issue. With several stars unavailable, the focus will shift to how bench players and rotation options handle extended minutes under competitive conditions.

Warriors head coach Steve Kerr approaches this contest as a crucial final rehearsal, using it to evaluate how his veteran players blend with younger contributors. He plans to experiment with small-ball lineups and assess spacing with Chris Paul and Stephen Curry sharing playmaking duties. Tyronn Lue, leading the Clippers, will use this game to get a better look at role players who could earn more regular-season minutes. His tactical approach will likely emphasize defensive rotations, ball movement, and pace control, especially with his two main stars resting. Expect Lue to rely heavily on Norman Powell, Terance Mann, and Bones Hyland to carry the offensive load.

Press coverage ahead of the matchup has centered on the different preseason priorities of the two teams. Reports note that Golden State is still figuring out its frontcourt combinations and testing how well the bench can maintain defensive intensity without its usual anchors. For Los Angeles, the conversation revolves around team chemistry, particularly with Beal’s integration into the lineup and how the offense functions in the absence of Leonard and Harden. Analysts have suggested that the Clippers’ preseason performances so far have shown promise in terms of depth and discipline, even without their stars.

Studio analysts previewing the game have focused on three main themes: the Warriors’ rhythm without key starters, the Clippers’ adaptability, and how each coach manages game tempo. Many see the matchup as a valuable opportunity to gauge how second units perform under real pressure. They also highlighted that the Warriors, with a slightly more stable core and home-court comfort, enter as mild favorites. However, the Clippers’ energy, depth, and focus on fast-paced play could make the contest unpredictable. Analysts agree that while the result won’t define either team, the game offers important clues about how both rosters will function once the regular season begins.