Wagler's late stepback lifts Clippers past Warriors 104-101 in preseason

Rookie Keaton Wagler hit a stepback jumper with 12.8 seconds left to lift the Clippers past the Warriors 104-101 in their preseason opener.

The Los Angeles Clippers began their preseason schedule on Sunday night with a 104-101 victory over the Golden State Warriors, and a rookie delivered the deciding basket. Keaton Wagler, making his first appearance in a Clippers uniform, converted a stepback jumper in the closing seconds to swing a one-point game in Los Angeles' favor and settle the contest.

Wagler arrived in Los Angeles with a notable draft pedigree. The Clippers selected him fifth overall in the 2026 NBA draft after a collegiate career at Illinois, and Sunday's meeting with Golden State offered the first look at him at the professional level. He came off the bench and played 30 minutes in his debut.

The rookie's stat line captured a mixed performance: 15 points, six rebounds, three assists, two steals and one block. Wagler struggled to find his shooting range, going 3-of-15 from the field and 1-of-11 from three-point distance, but he was steady at the free-throw line, where he converted eight of his nine attempts.

Despite the inefficient night, one of his three made field goals turned out to be the biggest shot of the game. Los Angeles trailed 101-100 with fewer than 15 seconds remaining when Wagler used a series of dribble moves to create space, then stepped back and connected with 12.8 seconds left to put Los Angeles in front, and the Clippers kept that lead through the finish. The NBA's official account highlighted the sequence, noting the shot gave Los Angeles a one-point lead.

The dramatic finish followed a game that changed course in the second half. Los Angeles carried a 55-43 lead into the break and was in front for much of the night, but Golden State put together runs after halftime, moved ahead and forced the Clippers to find a late answer inside the final 20 seconds.

Wagler was one of three Clippers to score in double figures in the win. Rui Hachimura paced the team with 21 points on 8-of-11 shooting from the field, including 4-of-5 from beyond the arc, to go with five rebounds and a block. Darius Garland added 15 points and six assists, while Baba Miller contributed nine points and six rebounds.

Wagler will look for a better shooting display in the contests ahead, but the first game of his NBA career ended with a victory over Golden State to open the preseason slate. The Warriors' second-half rally ended in a three-point defeat.

The report also noted that Max Strus exited the game with an injury. No additional details about the nature or severity of the issue were provided.

Los Angeles continues its preseason schedule against the Toronto Raptors on Oct. 10, a game set for 6:30 p.m. ET. The Clippers then open the regular season at home against the Sacramento Kings on Oct. 21, with tipoff scheduled for 10:30 p.m. ET.