Suns Stumble in Play-In, But Have One More Chance

Phoenix faces Clippers or Warriors on Friday with playoff berth on the line

Apr. 15, 2026 at 10:11am

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A fractured, cubist-style painting depicting the action and energy of a basketball game, with the players' forms broken down into sharp, overlapping geometric shapes and planes of color.The Suns' playoff hopes hang in the balance as they prepare for a high-stakes showdown against the Clippers or Warriors in the NBA Play-In Tournament.Oklahoma City Today

The Phoenix Suns fell short against the Portland Trail Blazers in the NBA Play-In Tournament, but they still have one more opportunity to secure a playoff spot. The Suns will face the winner of the Clippers-Warriors matchup on Friday, with the winner advancing to the playoffs as the 7th seed to take on the No. 2 seeded San Antonio Spurs.

Why it matters

The Suns' loss to the Blazers was a tough blow, as they were playing for their playoff lives. However, the team has shown resilience all season and will have one more chance to extend their season. This game will be a crucial test for the Suns, as they look to prove they belong in the postseason.

The details

The Suns struggled in several areas against the Blazers, including making only 9 of 25 three-pointers and missing 9 free throws. They also had issues containing Blazers center Mark Williams, who made his presence felt early with 3 blocks. The Suns will need to address these issues and get more production from their supporting cast to have a chance against the Clippers or Warriors.

  • The Suns played the Blazers on Tuesday, April 15, 2026.
  • The Suns will face the winner of the Clippers-Warriors matchup on Friday, April 18, 2026.

The players

Jordan Ott

The head coach of the Phoenix Suns.

Devin Booker

The star player for the Phoenix Suns.

Grayson Allen

A key player for the Phoenix Suns who was absent from the game against the Blazers.

Mark Williams

The center for the Portland Trail Blazers who made an impact with 3 blocks in the game.

Deni Avdija

The All-Star player for the Portland Trail Blazers who hit the game-winning shot against the Suns.

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What they’re saying

“I thought we could've gotten more threes up as a group.”

— Devin Booker

“I think some of the fourth quarter offense comes down to getting your match up, who you want. Similar to how they did it, we get the space around them. I thought at times we definitely could have got space better in that moment, but it really came down to stops. I thought all night, we really struggled to keep them out of the paint.”

— Jordan Ott, Head Coach

What’s next

The Suns will face the winner of the Clippers-Warriors matchup on Friday, April 18, 2026, with the winner advancing to the playoffs as the 7th seed to take on the No. 2 seeded San Antonio Spurs.

The takeaway

The Suns' loss to the Blazers was a tough setback, but the team has shown resilience all season and will have one more chance to prove they belong in the playoffs. If they can address their issues from the Blazers game and get more production from their supporting cast, the Suns have a chance to extend their season and make a run in the playoffs.