The Phoenix Suns held a 10-point lead over the Golden State Warriors with just over six minutes remaining in their Western Conference play-in game on Friday night.
Devin Booker scored 28 points and Jalen Green added 22 off the bench as Phoenix built its advantage early, shooting 52 percent from the field in the first half.
Golden State clawed back with a 15-2 run late in the third quarter, cutting the deficit to two points after Klay Thompson hit three consecutive three-pointers.
How the Warriors seized control in the fourth quarter
Stephen Curry erupted for 18 points in the final period, including a go-ahead three-pointer with 2:15 left that position Golden State ahead for the first time since the opening minutes.
Draymond Green recorded his third steal of the game on the ensuing possession, leading to a fast-break layup by Andrew Wiggins that extended the lead to five.
For more on this story, see Philadelphia 76ers lead Orlando Magic at halftime in No. 7 seed play-in game.
The Suns missed their next four field goal attempts, turning the ball over twice as Golden State ran the clock down to secure a 112-105 victory.
What So for the playoff picture
Golden State advances to face the top-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder in the first round, extending their postseason streak to six consecutive years.
Phoenix’s season ends after a campaign in which they won 36 games, marking their first absence from the playoffs since the 2020-21 season when they reached the Western Conference Finals.
<!– wp:heading />How this compares to last year’s play-in battle
/wp:paragraph –>Last season, the Los Angeles Lakers and Fresh Orleans Pelicans competed for the No. 8 seed in the West, with Los Angeles winning 112-106 after LeBron James scored 30 points.
This follows our earlier report, NBA Play-In Tournament Determines Final Playoff Berths for Four Teams.
<!– wp:paragraph />Why did the Suns lose their lead in the fourth quarter?
/wp:paragraph –> <!– wp:paragraph />Phoenix’s bench scored only six points in the final period after contributing 28 earlier, while Golden State’s reserves outscored them 22-6 down the stretch.
/wp:paragraph –> <!– wp:paragraph />What happens next for the Warriors?
/wp:paragraph –> <!– wp:paragraph />Golden State travels to Oklahoma City to face the Thunder in a best-of-seven series beginning on April 20, with the winner advancing to the Western Conference semifinals.
/wp:paragraph –>
