Dropping out of the playoff picture obviously is not ideal for the Warriors, but they have one of the best players on the planet in Steph Curry on their roster and there is still plenty of time left to turn things around.

The Clippers beat the Warriors in each of their first two meetings. Los Angeles sits in seventh place at 17-13 despite missing Kawhi Leonard — who won’t debut Friday — all year. Wing Terance Mann is also listed as out with a broken finger.

Wednesday was vintage Curry on the NBA’s showcase stage. But the vociferation of his excellence felt like a simultaneous cry for help.