Green scores 36 points, Suns lock down Warriors, Curry in 111-96 win in
NBA's play-in tourney
[April 18, 2026]
By DAVID BRANDT
PHOENIX (AP) — Jalen Green scored 36 points, Devin
Booker added 20 and the Phoenix Suns locked down Stephen Curry and the
Golden State Warriors, winning 111-96 in the NBA's play-in tournament
Friday night.
The Suns took the No. 8 seed in the Western Conference playoffs and will
face the defending NBA champion Oklahoma City Thunder on Sunday in Game
1. The Warriors' season is over. |
Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry, front left, drives against
Phoenix Suns forward Dillon Brooks (3) during the first half of an NBA
basketball play-in tournament game, Friday, April 17, 2026, in Phoenix.
(AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) |
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Green shot 14 of 20 from the field, including 8 of 14 on
3-pointers. Jordan Goodwin scored 19 points, had nine rebounds
and was a menace on defense with six steals.
Booker and Golden State's Draymond Green were both assessed two
technical fouls late in the fourth quarter after exchanging
words multiple times and were ejected.
The 38-year-old Curry couldn't get many clean looks and finished
with 17 points on 4-of-16 shooting. Brandin Podziemski led the
Warriors with 23 points.
Phoenix led by five at the break and built a 69-53 advantage
with 5:12 left in third after a fast-break layup by Royce
O'Neale. It was 85-72 with 10:12 remaining.
There was reason to believe the lead wasn't safe. Phoenix blew
an 11-point, fourth-quarter lead in a loss to Portland on
Tuesday night, while Golden State clawed back from a 13-point
fourth-quarter hole to beat the Los Angeles Clippers on
Wednesday night, which led to the winner-take-all matchup
Friday.
The Warriors looked as if they might have another comeback
brewing — Curry hit a 3-pointer that cut the margin to 85-78
with 9:30 left — but the Suns responded with the next seven
points.
The Suns avoided becoming the first team to lose both play-in
tournament games on their home floor. The current format was
established in 2021.
Golden State's Kristaps Porzingis played through right ankle
soreness, the result of an injury Wednesday against the
Clippers. The 7-foot-3 center played just 15 minutes and
finished with 11 points.
The Suns built an early 13-2 lead after the Warriors turned the
ball over four times. Phoenix pushed the advantage to 33-15
through one quarter after Golden State shot just 30%, including
1 of 9 from 3-point range.
But the Warriors recovered, cutting it to 50-45 by halftime.
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