Suns end Warriors’ season, set first-round date with Thunder

PHOENIX — Jalen Green scored 36 factors, Devin Booker added 20 and the Phoenix Suns locked down Stephen Curry and the Golden State Warriors, successful 111-96 within the NBA’s play-in event Friday night time.

The Suns took the No. 8 seed within the Western Conference playoffs and can face the defending NBA champion Oklahoma City Thunder on Sunday in Game 1. The Warriors’ season is over.

Green shot 14-of-20 from the sphere, together with 8-of-14 on 3-pointers. Jordan Goodwin scored 19 factors, had 9 rebounds and was a menace on protection with six steals.

Booker and Golden State’s Draymond Green had been each assessed two technical fouls late within the fourth quarter after exchanging phrases a number of occasions and had been ejected.

Curry, 38, could not get many clear appears to be like and completed with 17 factors on 4-of-16 taking pictures. Brandin Podziemski led the Warriors with 23 factors.

Phoenix led by 5 on the break and constructed a 69-53 benefit 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 purpose to imagine the lead wasn’t protected. Phoenix blew an 11-point, fourth-quarter lead in a loss to Portland on Tuesday night time, whereas Golden State clawed again from a 13-point fourth-quarter gap to beat the Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday night time, which led to the winner-take-all matchup Friday.

The Warriors appeared as if they could have one other comeback brewing — Curry hit a 3-pointer that lower the margin to 85-78 with 9:30 left — however the Suns responded with the following seven factors.

The Suns averted changing into the primary crew to lose each play-in event video games on their dwelling ground. The present format was established in 2021.

Golden State’s Kristaps Porzingis performed via proper ankle soreness, the results of an harm Wednesday in opposition to the Clippers. The 7-foot-3 heart performed simply quarter-hour and completed with 11 factors.

The Suns constructed an early 13-2 lead after the Warriors turned the ball over 4 occasions. Phoenix pushed the benefit to 33-15 via one quarter after Golden State shot simply 30%, together with 1 of 9 from 3-point vary.

But the Warriors recovered, reducing it to 50-45 by halftime.