Suns conclude Warriors’ campaign, schedule first-round matchup against Thunder
PHOENIX — Jalen Green recorded 36 points, Devin Booker contributed 20, and the Phoenix Suns effectively contained Stephen Curry and the Golden State Warriors, securing a 111-96 victory in the NBA’s play-in tournament on Friday night.
The Suns claimed the No. 8 seed in the Western Conference playoffs and are set to face the reigning NBA champion Oklahoma City Thunder on Sunday in Game 1. The Warriors’ season has concluded.
Green made 14 of 20 attempts from the field, including 8 of 14 from beyond the arc. Jordan Goodwin added 19 points, nine rebounds, and was a significant defensive presence with six steals.
Booker and Golden State’s Draymond Green both received two technical fouls late in the fourth quarter following a series of exchanges and were subsequently ejected.
Curry, 38, struggled to find open shots, finishing with 17 points on 4 of 16 shooting. Brandin Podziemski was the leading scorer for the Warriors with 23 points.
Phoenix held a five-point lead at halftime and extended it to 69-53 with 5:12 remaining in the third quarter after a fast-break layup by Royce O’Neale. The score was 85-72 with 10:12 left in the game.
There were indications that the lead could be in jeopardy. Phoenix had previously squandered an 11-point lead in the fourth quarter during a loss to Portland on Tuesday, while Golden State had rallied from a 13-point deficit in the fourth quarter to defeat the Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday, setting the stage for the decisive matchup on Friday.
The Warriors appeared to be mounting another comeback as Curry sank a 3-pointer that narrowed the gap to 85-78 with 9:30 remaining, but the Suns quickly answered with the next seven points.
The Suns avoided the distinction of being the first team to lose both play-in tournament games on their home court. This format was introduced in 2021.
Golden State’s Kristaps Porzingis played through right ankle discomfort, stemming from an injury sustained against the Clippers on Wednesday. The 7-foot-3 center logged just 15 minutes and finished with 11 points.
The Suns established an early 13-2 lead after the Warriors committed four turnovers. Phoenix increased the lead to 33-15 by the end of the first quarter, as Golden State shot only 30%, including 1 of 9 from 3-point range.
However, the Warriors regrouped, narrowing the score to 50-45 by halftime.
