Suns Eliminate Warriors 111-96; Magic Rout Hornets 121-90

Jalen Green and Devin Booker lead Suns to victory over Curry's Warriors in NBA play-in tournament

Apr. 18, 2026 at 6:54am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A cubist, geometric painting depicting a basketball game between the Phoenix Suns and Golden State Warriors, with the players and court broken down into sharp, overlapping shapes and planes in the team's official colors.The Suns' decisive victory over the Warriors in the NBA play-in tournament signals a shift in the league's power dynamics.Phoenix Today

The Phoenix Suns defeated the Golden State Warriors 111-96 in the NBA's play-in tournament on Friday night. Suns guard Jalen Green scored 36 points, while Devin Booker added 20 points. The Suns were able to lock down Warriors star Stephen Curry in the win. In another play-in game, the Orlando Magic routed the Charlotte Hornets 121-90.

Why it matters

The Suns' victory over the Warriors eliminates the defending champions from the playoffs, while the Magic's blowout win over the Hornets keeps their postseason hopes alive. These results shake up the NBA's playoff picture and set the stage for more high-stakes matchups.

The details

The Suns jumped out to an early lead and never looked back, stifling the Warriors' offense and getting big games from Green and Booker. Curry struggled, scoring just 12 points on 3-of-13 shooting. In the other game, the Magic dominated the Hornets from start to finish, led by strong performances from their young core.

  • The games were played on Friday, April 18, 2026.

The players

Jalen Green

A guard for the Phoenix Suns who scored 36 points in the win over the Warriors.

Devin Booker

A guard for the Phoenix Suns who scored 20 points in the win over the Warriors.

Stephen Curry

A guard for the Golden State Warriors who struggled, scoring just 12 points on 3-of-13 shooting.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

The takeaway

The Suns' dominant performance over the Warriors and the Magic's blowout win over the Hornets showcase the depth of talent in the NBA and set the stage for an exciting postseason. These results will have major implications for the playoff race and the championship contenders.