LOS ANGELES –- Not until the final two minutes did the Warriors ever take a lead.
Not until the final buzzer was the victory, as well as their season-opening win streak, safe and secure.
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Down by as much as 23 points to the Los Angeles Clippers on Thursday night, the Warriors rallied back for an astonishing 124-117 victory before a raucous crowd and a playoff atmosphere at sold-out Staples Center.
Steph Curry scored a game-high 40 points, including 13 in the final nine minutes as the Warriors took over the game and, in most ways, the building.
Three other Warriors scored in double figures, as Klay Thompson finished with 23 points, Harrison Barnes with 21 and Draymond Green had 19.
After allowing Los Angeles to shoot 70.5 percent in the first quarter and 60.5 percent in the first half, the Warriors held the Clippers to 40 percent over the final two quarters.
Golden State Warriors
STANDOUT PERFORMER
Barnes and Curry have to share this one. Barnes because he made several big plays, Curry because he was a remarkable closer, as well as the most indispensible Warrior -– despite committing a season-high-tying seven turnovers.
Curry grabbed a team-high 11 rebounds, in addition to his scoring.
Barnes’ 9-of-15 shooting and seven rebounds were crucial to the comeback.
TURNING POINT
After a Paul Pierce 3-pointer gave the Clippers a 112-102 lead with 5:05 to play, the Warriors responded by closing out the game on a 22-5 run.
The scoring was spread out among four Warriors. Curry had seven, Andre Iguodala had six, Thompson had five and Green had four.
INJURY UPDATE
Warriors: G Shaun Livingston (hip flexor strain) and F Kevon Looney (hip surgery) were designated inactive.
Clippers: G J.J. Redick (back spasms) did not play. F Branden Dawson and G C.J. Wilcox were designated inactive.
WHAT’S NEXT
The Warriors return to action Friday night at Oracle Arena, where they face the Chicago Bulls.