SAN FRANCISCO — With a trio of future Hall of Famers sitting out, the Clippers’ preseason finale was a chance for Bradley Beal to shake off some rust and a pair of rookies to flash some promise.
Beal had 12 points on 6-for-9 shooting in 15 first-half minutes before calling it a night, while Kobe Sanders had 25 points and Yanic Konan Niederhauser had 13 points, 11 rebounds and two blocked shots in the Clippers’ 106-103 victory over the Golden State Warriors on Friday night at the Chase Center.
Sanders shot 8 for 15 from the field (4 for 9 from 3-point range) and 5 for 6 from the free-throw line in 37 minutes. Niederhauser shot 5 for 10 from the field and added three assists in 26 minutes. Cam Christie added 12 points in 12 minutes, Jordan Miller had seven points and six rebounds, while Kobe Brown had six points and nine rebounds.
Kawhi Leonard, James Harden, Chris Paul, Brook Lopez and Nicolas Batum all sat out for the Clippers, while veterans Ivica Zubac, Derrick Jones Jr. and Kris Dunn joined Beal in calling it a night at halftime. Friday was Beal’s only appearance in the Clippers’ four preseason games.
The Clippers’ season opener is Wednesday night against the Utah Jazz in Salt Lake City.