Suns eliminate Warriors in play-in, face Thunder in playoffs 2026

Phoenix Suns secured a playoff spot by defeating Golden State Warriors 111-96 in the NBA play-in tournament.

Key performers for Phoenix Jalen Green led Phoenix with 36 points, hitting 14 of 20 shots including 8 three-pointers. Devin Booker contributed 20 points while Jordan Goodwin posted 19 points, nine rebounds, and six steals on defense. The Suns finished the game with an 111-96 victory, earning the No. 8 seed in the Western Conference playoffs. Golden State’s season concluded with the loss. ## Warriors fall short in play-in Stephen Curry struggled with just 17 points on 4-of-16 shooting as Golden State fell to Phoenix. Brandin Podziemski paced the Warriors with 23 points. Kristaps Porzingis played through right ankle soreness, logging 15 minutes and finishing with 11 points. Golden State’s season ended after the defeat. ## Late-game drama and ejections Booker and Golden State’s Draymond Green were assessed two technical fouls each late in the fourth quarter after heated exchanges, leading to their ejection. The Suns maintained control despite Golden State’s efforts to rally. Curry’s three-pointer cut the deficit to 85-78 with 9:30 left, but Phoenix answered with seven straight points. The Warriors could not overcome the margin in the final minutes. ## First half dominance by Phoenix Phoenix built an early 13-2 lead after Golden State committed four turnovers in the opening minutes. The Suns extended their advantage to 33-15 by the end of the first quarter, as Golden State shot poorly at 30%, including 1 of 9 from three-point range. The Warriors fought back to cut the deficit to 50-45 by halftime. Phoenix carried a five-point lead into the break. ## Play-in stakes and playoff preview Phoenix will face the defending NBA champion Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 1 of the playoffs on Sunday. The Warriors’ loss marked the end of their season after a play-in showdown. Phoenix avoided becoming the first team to lose both play-in games on their home floor. The current play-in format was established in 2021. ## Recent struggles and comebacks Phoenix had blown an 11-point fourth-quarter lead in a Tuesday loss to Portland. Golden State rebounded from a 13-point fourth-quarter deficit to beat the Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday. These performances set up the winner-take-all matchup on Friday night. The Suns secured their playoff spot with the victory over the Warriors.