Suns' Jalen Green dominates Warriors in Play-In victory

Second-year guard scores 36 points to lead Phoenix to decisive win over Golden State

Apr. 18, 2026 at 10:39am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

An abstract, expressionist painting in vibrant neon colors depicting the raw energy and athleticism of a basketball player, with their face and uniform dissolving into unrecognizable brushstrokes and splatters of paint.Jalen Green's scoring explosion powers the Suns past the Warriors in the Play-In tournamentOklahoma City Today

Jalen Green had a dominant 36-point performance to lead the Phoenix Suns to a 111-96 victory over the Golden State Warriors in the NBA Play-In tournament. The win comes just three days after a tough loss to the Warriors, and Green was motivated to get retribution after last season's playoff struggles against the defending champions.

Why it matters

Green's breakout game shows the 21-year-old's continued development, as he looks to lead the Suns deep into the playoffs after a disappointing end to last season. The win also sets up a highly anticipated matchup with the top-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder on Sunday.

The details

Green tied a career-high with eight 3-pointers made, showcasing his improved shooting range and ability to score at all three levels. He also did a better job of attacking the paint and getting to the free throw line. The Suns' defense was also stifling, limiting the Warriors' open looks and forcing them into 16 turnovers.

  • The Suns lost to the Warriors just three days prior to Friday's game.
  • Green had a combined 71 points in the past two games for the Suns.

The players

Jalen Green

A 21-year-old guard for the Phoenix Suns who was the 2nd overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. He had a breakout performance with 36 points to lead the Suns to victory over the Warriors.

Devin Booker

The veteran All-Star guard for the Phoenix Suns who has been mentoring the younger Green and helping him develop his game.

Golden State Warriors

The defending NBA champions who defeated the Suns in last season's playoffs, but were unable to stop Green and the Suns in this Play-In matchup.

Oklahoma City Thunder

The top-seeded team in the Western Conference that the Suns will face next after defeating the Warriors.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“I remember what they (Golden State) did last year. It's not going to leave, my first playoff series. Like I said before, there's a lesson in every situation. It's never failure.”

— Jalen Green, Suns Guard

“Just seeing how Book approaches the games at the end of the season, and his mindset going in. You kind of see it's a lead-by-example type of guy, and you kind of just pick up on his habits and everything he's doing.”

— Jalen Green, Suns Guard

What’s next

The Suns will take on the top-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder on Sunday in the next round of the Play-In tournament.

The takeaway

Jalen Green's breakout performance against the Warriors shows his continued growth and development, as he looks to lead the Suns on a deep playoff run after last season's disappointment. His ability to learn from past failures and the veteran leadership of Devin Booker have been key factors in Green's rise.