Key Takeaways
- The Result: The Phoenix Suns defeated the Golden State Warriors 111-96 to clinch the #8 seed in the Western Conference.
- The Performance: Jalen Green torched the Warriors for 36 points, including 8 triples, while holding Steph Curry to just 17 points on 4-of-16 shooting.
- The Aftermath: Phoenix advances to face the top-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder; the Warriors’ season officially ends.
PHOENIX — Jalen Green didn’t just find his rhythm on Friday night; he set the entire arena on fire. In a winner-take-all play-in showdown, Green delivered a 36-point masterclass to lead the Phoenix Suns to a 111-96 victory over the Golden State Warriors, effectively ending the Dubs’ season and punching Phoenix’s ticket to the postseason.
Green’s Historic Night Silences the Warriors
From the opening tip, Phoenix looked like a team possessed. They raced out to a 33-15 lead in the first quarter, fueled by Green’s relentless attacking. While Golden State clawed back to within five points by halftime, the second half belonged entirely to the home side. Green was surgical, finishing 14-of-20 from the floor and a blistering 8-of-14 from beyond the arc.
Jordan Goodwin provided the blue-collar energy the Suns needed, racking up 19 points, 9 rebounds, and 6 steals. His defensive pressure made life miserable for Stephen Curry, who struggled to find any daylight. The Warriors’ superstar finished with just 17 points, looking every bit his 38 years as the Suns’ younger guards swarmed him at every turn.
Temperatures Flare in the Fourth
The intensity boiled over late in the game. With the result largely decided, Devin Booker and Draymond Green engaged in a heated verbal exchange that resulted in both players being assessed two technical fouls and ejected. The Footprint Center erupted as Booker waved goodbye to the Warriors’ bench, a symbolic moment for a Golden State core that may have played its final meaningful minutes together.
The Warriors got a spark from Brandin Podziemski, who led them with 23 points, but it wasn’t enough to overcome a Suns team that shot 50% from the field. Kristaps Porzingis, clearly hampered by a sore right ankle, managed only 11 points in 15 minutes of action.
What They Said
“We knew we had to bring the fight to them early. You can’t let a team like that hang around because Steph can get hot in a second. Tonight, we dictated the terms.”
— Jalen Green, Suns Guard
“It’s a tough way to go out. We didn’t execute, and they did. Jalen played at an elite level tonight, and we didn’t have an answer.”
— Steve Kerr, Warriors Head Coach
What’s Next: A Date with the Thunder
The Suns’ reward for surviving the play-in gauntlet is a first-round date with the defending NBA champion Oklahoma City Thunder. That series kicks off Sunday in OKC. For the Warriors, the offseason begins with massive questions regarding the future of their aging roster and whether this legendary era has finally reached its conclusion.
