Jalen Green scored 36 points as the Phoenix Suns defeated the Golden State Warriors 111-94 to secure the Western Conference eighth seed and a first round matchup with the No. 1 Oklahoma City Thunder.
Devin Booker added 20 points and a team-high eight assists, while Jordan Goodwin filled the stat sheet with 19 points, nine rebounds and six steals, helping Phoenix close out the play-in win.
Brandin Podziemski paced Golden State with 23 points and 10 rebounds, but the Warriors could not overcome Phoenix’s balanced attack and timely runs.
Stephen Curry was limited by poor shooting and fatigue, with reports listing him in the mid-teens on roughly four made field goals, and Kristaps Porziņģis produced limited offense when on the floor.
Draymond Green and Devin Booker were both ejected after an on-court confrontation that drew intervention from officials, and the loss ended Golden State’s season.
Playoff Matchups And Team Implications
The Suns will meet the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder in the first round, while the Orlando Magic advanced in the Eastern bracket after a 121-90 rout of the Charlotte Hornets and will face the top-seeded Detroit Pistons.
Orlando’s win was driven by Paolo Banchero’s game-high 25 points and Franz Wagner’s 18 points, with the Magic’s defense forcing turnovers and limiting Charlotte’s shooting.
The Warriors enter an offseason of questions. Coach Steve Kerr has said he will discuss his future with owner Joe Lacob and general manager Mike Dunleavy Jr., and his two-year contract extension signed in 2024 is ending.
Front-office considerations include Draymond Green’s looming player option worth more than $27 million and tradeability, uncertainty surrounding Jimmy Butler’s rehab and contract value, and the franchise’s limited cap flexibility as it weighs roster moves.
League chatter also notes the Warriors still hold their future first-round picks, which could be leverage as they evaluate whether to retool around Stephen Curry or pursue a major addition.
