Suns beat Warriors 111-96 behind Jalen Green’s 36

The Phoenix Suns defeated the Golden State Warriors 111-96 on Friday, April 17, 2026, in the NBA Play-In Tournament’s West 8th Seed Game, with Jalen Green leading all scorers with 36 points in a steady home win that sent Phoenix forward after a strong first quarter set the tone.

Quarter-by-Quarter Breakdown

First Quarter

Phoenix took control immediately, outscoring Golden State 33-15 in the opening period. The Suns were sharp from the perimeter and far more organized on both ends, while the Warriors struggled to find rhythm early. That 18-point margin gave Phoenix the kind of start every home team wants in a high-stakes play-in setting.

Second Quarter

Golden State responded with a much better second quarter, winning the period 30-17. The Warriors tightened up defensively, got more production in transition and cut into the Suns’ lead before halftime. After looking fully in command early, Phoenix had to regroup as the game became much more competitive entering the break.

Third Quarter

The Suns answered well out of halftime. Phoenix edged the Warriors 28-24 in the third, rebuilding separation after Golden State’s second-quarter push. Jalen Green continued to carry the scoring load, and Devin Booker helped steady the offense as Phoenix regained control heading to the fourth.

Fourth Quarter

Phoenix finished the job with a 33-27 fourth quarter. Each time Golden State looked capable of making one more run, the Suns came back with timely shot-making and efficient half-court possessions. That closing stretch turned a competitive game into a comfortable 15-point final.

Key Performers

Phoenix Suns
Jalen Green delivered the biggest scoring performance of the night with 36 points, adding 6 rebounds and 3 blocks. Devin Booker directed the offense with 8 assists, while Jordan Goodwin led Phoenix on the glass with 9 rebounds. As a team, the Suns shot 48.1 percent from the field, made 18 three-pointers, and went a perfect 15-for-15 at the free throw line.

Golden State Warriors
Brandin Podziemski paced the Warriors with 23 points and 10 rebounds for a double-double. Draymond Green led Golden State with 6 assists. The Warriors finished with 22 assists and a slight rebounding edge, 39-36, but their slow start and lower three-point volume left them chasing the game for most of the night.

NerdSports Stat: Phoenix won by 15 despite being outrebounded 39-36, thanks largely to an 18-11 edge in made three-pointers and a perfect 15-for-15 night at the foul line.

Game Analysis

This game was defined by Phoenix’s shot profile and early execution. The Suns attempted 49 shots from three-point range and converted 18 of them, creating enough offensive value to offset Golden State’s advantage on the boards and at the foul line. Phoenix also protected its efficiency in key moments, shooting 48.1 percent overall and never giving away points at the stripe.

The Warriors did well to recover from their difficult first quarter, particularly with a strong second period that briefly shifted momentum. But the early 33-15 deficit remained the biggest factor all night. Golden State simply spent too much energy trying to erase that margin, and Phoenix’s offense was too consistent over the final two quarters to let the game fully swing.

Booker’s playmaking helped organize the Suns when the Warriors applied pressure, and Green’s scoring gave Phoenix the top-end production needed in a postseason environment. On the other side, Podziemski gave Golden State a solid individual effort, but the Warriors needed more efficient offense from the opening tip and more perimeter production to match Phoenix’s spacing.

Closing Context

With the win, the Suns moved on from the West 8th Seed Game and secured their playoff place, improving their overall record to 45-37. For Golden State, the loss ended its season at 37-45. In a one-game play-in format, Phoenix’s fast start and efficient perimeter shooting proved decisive, and the Suns now head into the postseason with momentum.

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