Clippers defeat Warriors after Steph Curry exits with injury

For the third straight time early in the season, the Clippers found themselves in a close game that tested their composure.

They've managed to withstand similar challenges in their last two games, and on Sunday night the Clippers earned a 112-104 victory over the Golden State Warriors at Chase Center.

Of the four Clippers players who scored in double figures, center Ivica Zubac was the most dominant.

Zubac continued his strong play early in the season, recording his second straight double-double with 23 points and 17 rebounds along with six assists. He has scored at least 20 points in the first three games, becoming the second center in franchise history to achieve this feat. Bob McAdoo did it three times while playing for the Buffalo Braves – 1974, 1975 and 1976.

Zubac became the first Clippers player since DeAndre Jordan in 2015 to record at least 20 points and 15 rebounds in consecutive games.

James Harden had 23 points, 11 assists and seven rebounds, Norman Powell had 20 points and Derrick Jones Jr. scored 18.

The Warriors tried to mount a comeback late without Stephen Curry, who left the game in the fourth quarter with a sprained left ankle.

The Clippers knew their defense would be tested much differently than it had been in the first two games.

Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (left) defends against Clippers guard James Harden during the first half on Sunday. Curry left in the fourth quarter with a sprained left ankle.

(Nic Coury/Associated Press)

Golden State entered Sunday averaging 133.5 points per game leading the NBA. They average 99.5 shot attempts per game, the second-most in the league, and their shooting percentage from the field is 49.7%, the fourth-best mark in the league.

The Warriors opened the season with a 36-point win over Portland and followed with a 41-point win over Utah. According to the Elias Sports Bureau, the Warriors became the first team to win each of its first two games by at least 35 points.

The Clippers didn't let up in the first half, holding the Warriors to 43.6% from the field.

At one point, the Clippers held the Warriors scoreless for the first four minutes of the second quarter.