Suns Stun Warriors as Curry Struggles in Play-In Tournament Showdown
Jalen Green led the Phoenix Suns to a decisive 111-96 victory over the Golden State Warriors in the NBA's play-in tournament on Friday night. With this win, the Suns secured the No 8 seed in the Western Conference playoffs and will face the defending champions, the Oklahoma City Thunder, in Game 1 on Sunday. Green was on fire, scoring 36 points with an impressive 14 of 20 shooting, including 8 of 14 from beyond the arc. Jordan Goodwin also contributed significantly with 19 points, nine rebounds, and six steals, showcasing his defensive prowess. The game saw tensions rise as both Devin Booker and Draymond Green received two technical fouls late in the fourth quarter after a heated exchange, leading to their ejections. Stephen Curry, struggling to find his rhythm, managed only 17 points on 4-of-16 shooting, while Brandin Podziemski was the standout for the Warriors with 23 points. The Suns maintained control throughout, leading by five at halftime and extending their advantage to 69-53 in the third quarter. In another play-in matchup, the Orlando Magic dominated the Charlotte Hornets with a 121-90 win. Paolo Banchero starred with 25 points, helping the Magic build a massive 35-point lead in the first half. The Magic will now face the Detroit Pistons in their first-round playoff series. Despite LaMelo Ball scoring 21 of his 23 points in the third quarter, the Hornets struggled early and failed to capitalize, marking their continued absence from playoff contention since 2016.
Source: The Guardian Sport - 2026-04-18