Suns whip Warriors to clinch No. 8 seed and first-round test vs. Thunder

PHOENIX (AP) — Jalen Green was several feet behind the 3-point line as the shot clock wound down and didn’t have many options, so the Phoenix guard simply squared up and let if fly.

In most cases, the third-quarter heave wouldn’t have been a high-percentage shot.

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On Friday night, pretty much everyone knew it was going in.

“It felt good all night,” Green said.

The 24-year-old Green scored 36 points to lead Phoenix to a 111-96 victory over the Golden State Warriors in the NBA’s play-in tournament. The Suns earned the No. 8 seed in the Western Conference playoffs and they’ll face the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder in a road game Sunday in Game 1 of the first round.

Green shot 14 of 20 from the field against the Warriors, including 8 of 14 from 3-point range. The eight 3-pointers tied his career high.

“I thought he was incredibly efficient offensively,” Suns coach Jordan Ott said. “It’s really hard to stay in front of him.”

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It was a big moment for Green, who endured plenty of frustration during an injury-filled year that limited him to just 32 games in the regular season. Green and Dillon Brooks came to the Suns from the Rockets as part of the package that sent 15-time All-Star Kevin Durant to Houston.

Jalen Green, who scored a game-high 36 points, celebrates after slamming home a dunk during the first half of the Suns’ 111-96 win over the Warriors on April 17, 2026 in an NBA play-in game in Phoenix. Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Green missed the first half of the season with a hamstring injury and then finally returned, sometimes struggling to adjust to his new role playing with Booker and Brooks. He averaged just 17.8 points, the lowest total since his rookie season.

But the trio appears to be jelling at the right time. Booker had the assist on four of Green’s 3-pointers on Friday.

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“I’m very comfortable playing with Book,” Green said. “You kind of how to pick your poison, how you’re going to guard it.”

Stephen Curry, who was held to 17 points, reacts during the Warriors’ loss to the Suns in an NBA play-in game on April 18, 2026. Mark…


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Publish date : 2026-04-18 06:48:00

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