Warriors and Suns to Face Off in Play-In Tournament Finale

Hornets and Magic also set to battle for final playoff spots on Friday

Apr. 16, 2026 at 11:23pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a basketball game between two teams, with the players and court fragmented into sharp, overlapping planes of color.The high-stakes clash between the Warriors and Suns will be a highlight of the 2026 NBA play-in tournament.New Haven Today

The Golden State Warriors and Phoenix Suns are set to face off in the final play-in tournament game on Friday, with the winner clinching the last playoff spot in the Western Conference. The Charlotte Hornets and Orlando Magic will also square off in the Eastern Conference play-in finale, with the victor earning a postseason berth.

Why it matters

The play-in tournament has become an exciting addition to the NBA playoffs, providing dramatic, high-stakes matchups between teams fighting for the final playoff spots. These games will determine the final participants in the 2026 NBA Playoffs, setting the stage for the championship chase.

The details

The Warriors secured their spot in the play-in after a rollercoaster regular season, while the Suns cruised to the Western Conference's second seed. In the East, the Hornets and Magic battled all year to earn their chance at the playoffs through the play-in format.

  • The Warriors-Suns and Hornets-Magic play-in games will take place on Friday, April 18, 2026.
  • The winners of these two games will advance to the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs.

The players

Golden State Warriors

A storied NBA franchise that has won 4 championships in the last 12 years, led by superstar Stephen Curry.

Phoenix Suns

One of the top teams in the Western Conference, led by All-NBA guard Devin Booker and veteran point guard Chris Paul.

Charlotte Hornets

A young, up-and-coming team in the Eastern Conference, led by All-Star point guard LaMelo Ball.

Orlando Magic

A team on the rise in the East, featuring a talented young core including forward Paolo Banchero and center Wendell Carter Jr.

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What they’re saying

“These play-in games are always so intense and exciting. You never know what's going to happen, which is why the fans love it so much.”

— Stephen Curry, Warriors Point Guard

“We've worked hard all season to put ourselves in this position. Now it's time to finish the job and punch our ticket to the playoffs.”

— Devin Booker, Suns Shooting Guard

What’s next

The winners of the Warriors-Suns and Hornets-Magic play-in games will advance to face the #2 and #3 seeds in their respective conferences in the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs.

The takeaway

The play-in tournament has become a thrilling addition to the NBA postseason, providing high-stakes, winner-take-all matchups between teams fighting for the final playoff spots. These games will determine the final participants in the 2026 NBA Playoffs, setting the stage for an exciting championship chase.