Warriors' Curry, Green Bow Out After Play-In Loss to Suns

Longtime teammates go down fighting, but see opportunities ahead

Apr. 18, 2026 at 10:34pm by

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A cubist-style painting depicting a basketball game, with the players and court fragmented into sharp, overlapping geometric shapes and planes, conveying the intensity and movement of the game.The Warriors' season-ending loss to the Suns encapsulates the team's competitive spirit and uncertain future.San Francisco Today

The Golden State Warriors' season came to an end with a 111-96 loss to the Phoenix Suns in the NBA play-in tournament on Friday. Despite injuries and a disappointing campaign, veteran stars Stephen Curry and Draymond Green fought hard until the final buzzer, with Curry scoring 17 points and Green registering 5 points, 6 assists, and 6 fouls before being ejected. The duo reflected on the highs and lows of the season, with Curry expressing pride in how the team competed and Green uncertain about his future with the Warriors.

Why it matters

The Warriors' early playoff exit marks the end of an era for the franchise, which had won four NBA championships in the previous eight seasons. Curry and Green have been cornerstones of that dynasty, and their uncertain futures raise questions about the team's path forward as it looks to rebuild and return to contention.

The details

Curry played in just 43 games this season due to a right knee injury that kept him out for 27 straight games. Despite the setback, he returned for the play-in tournament and scored 35 points in a win over the Los Angeles Clippers before the loss to the Suns. Green, meanwhile, saw his minutes and production decline as the team struggled, averaging 8.4 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 5.5 assists in 68 games. His fiery ejection in the final minutes of Friday's game was emblematic of the Warriors' fight until the end.

  • The Warriors' season ended on Friday, April 17, 2026 with the loss to the Suns.
  • Curry missed 27 straight games earlier in the season due to a right knee injury.

The players

Stephen Curry

A 38-year-old guard and five-time NBA champion who has spent his entire 17-year career with the Golden State Warriors. Curry averaged 26.6 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 4.7 assists in 43 games this season.

Draymond Green

A veteran forward who has been Curry's teammate for 14 seasons with the Warriors. Green averaged 8.4 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 5.5 assists in 68 games this season, his second-most since 2017-18.

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What they’re saying

“When it comes to the Warriors, you're always talking about championships. That's what we've established in a goal. We had to reshape that. It's like — OK. Can we make something out of this year and get a playoff experience and playoff berth? That felt like the right goal and why I forced my way to get back.”

— Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors guard

“I don't ever want to be like — 'Yo, we just going to keep him around because what he's done before.' Like, what can I still do? And by the way, that's not just playing, right? That's leadership. That's helping bring the young guys along. That's helping move the organization forward. Hopefully, I've done enough to still be here, but if not, we'll see what it looks like. It's been a hell of a run.”

— Draymond Green, Golden State Warriors forward

What’s next

Curry and Green will both be unrestricted free agents this offseason, and their futures with the Warriors remain uncertain. The team will need to evaluate its roster and decide how to best rebuild around its aging stars or transition to a new era.

The takeaway

The Warriors' early playoff exit marks the end of an era for the franchise, but Curry and Green showed their competitive spirit and leadership until the final buzzer. Their uncertain futures raise questions about the team's path forward as it looks to return to championship contention.