Field Level Media
18 Apr 2026, 10:49 GMT+10
(Photo credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images)
Jalen Green's 36 points helped lift the Phoenix Suns into the playoffs with a 111-96 play-in win over the visiting Golden State Warriors on Friday.
The Suns earned the Western Conference's eighth postseason seed. They will visit the defending champion and top-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder on Sunday to open a first-round series.
Phoenix scored 30 points off the Warriors' 21 turnovers.
After Phoenix let a late lead slip away against the Portland Trail Blazers in the play-in opener, the Suns held on this time.
There was some late drama, though.
With the outcome already decided, Golden State's Draymond Green fouled out with just more than a minute remaining. Warriors coach Steve Kerr shared a moment with Draymond Green and Stephen Curry, embracing both. The three were part of four NBA championship runs.
However, as action resumed, Draymond Green and the Suns' Devin Booker began a heated discussion that carried on for several moments before the whistle blew and both players were issued a technical foul. Green was ejected.
Phoenix jumped out to a big lead with a 13-0 run after the Warriors scored the game's first two points, then closed the quarter with eight consecutive points to lead 33-15.
Golden State's 15 first-quarter points were their fewest in a quarter since scoring 14 in the fourth quarter March 7 against the Thunder.
The Suns, who shot 52.4% in the first quarter, struggled in the second quarter as the Warriors roared back.
Phoenix was just 5 of 20 from the field in the second, and Golden State pulled within two on Curry's free throws with 19.6 seconds remaining in the half.
As time ran down, Jalen Green elevated for a 3-pointer from the wing and drained it for the Suns' first field goal in more than five minutes to give Phoenix a 50-45 lead at the break.
Golden State's Brandin Podziemski scored 10 of his team-high 23 points in the second. He also led the Warriors with 10 rebounds.
The Suns used an 11-1 run -- featuring two 3-pointers from Jalen Green -- to regain control in the third quarter.
Booker finished with 20 points, eight assists and six rebounds. Phoenix's Jordan Goodwin added 19 points, nine rebounds and six steals.
Curry recorded 17 points in the loss but was just 4 of 16 from the floor and 3 of 10 from 3-point range.
--Field Level Media
Get a daily dose of Auckland Sun news through our daily email, its complimentary and keeps you fully up to date with world and business news as well.
Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to Auckland Sun.
More InformationJERUSALEM/BEIRUT: After many hours of sirens in northern Israel mid-week, people felt an unusual calm later in the week as the ceasefire...
ANNANDALE, Virginia: Virginia's former lieutenant governor, Justin Fairfax, once seen as a rising Democratic leader before sexual assault...
ROME, Italy: The scope of a year-old law passed by Giorgia Meloni's government limiting citizenship claims to Italian descendants who...
WASHINGTON, D.C.: U.S. President Donald Trump said there would be a 10-day pause in fighting between Israel and Lebanon starting at...
GAZA CITY, GAZA—Three-year-old Yahya Al-Malahi lay on a metal table in the morgue of Al-Shifa hospital in Gaza City. Family members...
DUBLIN, Ireland: The International Protection Bill, which introduces new asylum rules to speed up decisions and improve support for...
(Photo credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images) Jalen Green's 36 points helped lift the Phoenix Suns into the playoffs with a 111-96...
Durban [South Africa], April 18 (ANI): Laura Wolvaardt and Annerie Dercksen shine as South Africa beat India by six wickets in the...
Dhaka [Bangladesh], April 17 (ANI): New Zealand pulled off a 26-run win over Bangladesh in the first ODI match of the bilateral series...
Ahmedabad (Gujarat) [India], April 17 (ANI): Gujarat Titans (GT) have signed Connor Esterhuizen as a replacement for Tom Banton, who...
Lausanne [Switzerland], April 17 (ANI): The Uruguay women's and USA men's teams will participate for the very first time in the FIH...
BEIJING, April 17 (Xinhua) -- China has responded in a resolute manner to the close-in reconnaissance and harassment by a New Zealand...
