Steve Kerr said Stephen Curry proved why he elected to return from a knee issue after the veteran starred against the Los Angeles Clippers.

Curry scored a game-leading 35 points, with 11 of those coming in the final nine minutes and 27 seconds, as the Golden State Warriors hit back to win 126-121.

The victory keeps the Warriors' postseason alive for at least another two days. 

With 10 minutes left, the Warriors were 13 points behind, but Curry led their resurgence.

The 38-year-old missed 27 straight games earlier in the season due to a knee injury, and considered ending his campaign early. Instead, he came back to try and push the Warriors into the playoffs, much to Kerr's delight.

"This is why Steph came back," Kerr said.

"Everyone out there who thought Steph should take the rest of the year off, [but] this is what he does. This is who he is."

Goodnight, #DubNation pic.twitter.com/FV6xDhFuzN

— Golden State Warriors (@warriors) April 16, 2026

In Curry's absence, the Warriors went 9-18.

Curry's teammate Draymond Green said: "Most people would quit. Especially when you're in a position like that – you leave [the lineup] in the seventh spot and you come back and we're in 10th. Locked in 10th.

"Most people would get themselves right and do it again next year."

Kerr added: "We came back every single time they made a run. An incredible display of guts and competitiveness and connection.

"Then obviously Steph and Dray took over down the stretch. Draymond is the best defender I've ever seen in my life."

Green marshalled Clippers star Kawhi Leonard, who finished with 21 points.

"Draymond, Hall of Fame defender," Leonard said. "It was hard to even get shots up."

Though the Warriors are without Jimmy Butler and Moses Moody, Kerr feels confident ahead of taking on the Phoenix Suns in their next play-in game.

"There's a reason we have four championships," Kerr said.

"With all the wins we've ever had here – a lot of them with a lot more at stake – this is right up there. Just because of where we are and our age and the decline of our performance this year and our injuries. It was just a beautiful display of competitive will."