Tipoff is scheduled for 7:00 PM PDT / 10:00 PM ET
Venue: Mortgage Matchup Center, Phoenix, AZ (Suns home court; capacity ~19,000; known for loud crowds and fast-paced playoff atmosphere in the desert)
Broadcast: Prime Video (national); NBC Sports Bay Area (Warriors local); ESPN Radio (national audio); 95.7 The Game (Warriors radio)
This is a single-elimination do-or-die matchup. The winner earns the West’s #8 playoff seed and a first-round date with the top-seeded Thunder. The loser’s season ends immediately. Golden State advanced by upsetting the #9 Clippers 126-121 in the 9-10 game on April 15. Phoenix, after dropping its 7-8 play-in contest, hosts as the higher seed with home-court advantage in this elimination tilt.
Team Records (2025-26 Regular Season)
Golden State Warriors: 37-45 (.451), 10th in the West. Home: 22-19; Away: 15-26. Net rating: -0.6 points per 100 possessions. Offensive rating ~114.6 PPG scored / 115.2 allowed.
Phoenix Suns: 45-37 (.549), 7th in the West. Home: 25-16 (strong home mark); Away: 20-21. Net rating: +1.5. Offensive rating ~112.6 PPG scored / 111.1 allowed.
The Suns had the superior regular-season record and point differential, but the Warriors have shown playoff-like intensity in their recent play-in victory.
Recent Team Forms (Last 10 Games + Play-In)
Warriors: 3-7 in final 10 regular-season games (L3 streak entering play-in) but 1-0 in the tournament with a gritty 126-121 road win over the Clippers. They’ve been inconsistent but explosive in spots, especially when Stephen Curry is healthy. Momentum is building after erasing deficits and showing resilience.
Suns: 5-5 in final 10 regular-season games (W1 entering their 7-8 play-in loss). They’ve been a middling team lately but benefit from rest and home familiarity. Defensive lapses have been an issue in recent outings.
Injury Report
Golden State Warriors:
Stephen Curry (PG) – Questionable (undisclosed; left previous game but expected to play per multiple reports).
Quinten Post (C) – GTD/Out (foot).
L.J. Cryer (PG) – Out (ankle; out for season/return uncertain).
Moses Moody (SG) – Out (torn patellar tendon, season over).
Jimmy Butler III (SF) – Out (torn ACL, season over since January).
Phoenix Suns:
Grayson Allen (SG) – GTD (hamstring).
Additional noted absences: Dillon Brooks (broken hand), Mark Williams (foot), Haywood Highsmith (knee), Amir Coffey (ankle) – status could impact depth.
sportsfromthestands.com +1
Curry’s availability is the biggest X-factor. If he plays, Golden State’s ceiling rises dramatically.
Key Player Matchups
PG: Stephen Curry vs. Devin Booker – Curry’s gravity and off-ball movement vs. Booker’s scoring versatility and size. Booker has been the more consistent scorer this season, but Curry in elimination games is legendary.
SG: Brandin Podziemski / Jalen Green rotation vs. Grayson Allen (if active) – Podziemski’s defense and rebounding vs. Allen’s shooting (if he plays).
SF/PF: Draymond Green vs. Suns forwards (e.g., potential matchups with Cam Johnson or others) – Green’s leadership, passing, and defensive versatility are critical against Phoenix’s spacing.
C: Kristaps Porzingis vs. Suns bigs – Porzingis’ stretch-5 ability and rim protection tested against Phoenix’s interior.
Bench/Depth: Warriors rely on Gui Santos, Al Horford (recently available), and others. Suns depth could be tested if Allen or other rotation pieces are limited.
Golden State’s experience (Curry, Green, Podziemski core) vs. Phoenix’s balanced attack (Booker-led).
Series History
2025-26 Regular Season: Warriors lead 3-1 (wins on Nov. 4, Dec. 20, Feb. 5; Suns won Dec. 18). Games have been close and high-scoring.
All-Time Regular Season: Suns lead 153-118 (271 games). Phoenix has owned the series historically, but recent years show parity in the Pacific Division.
Play-in/Playoffs context: First meeting in this format; no prior playoff series edge matters here.
Betting Trends
Home favorites of -3 or shorter are 9-4 SU/ATS in the current play-in format (since 2021).
Phoenix is 10-4 SU in its last 14 games as a favorite.
Warriors are 36-47 ATS overall this season but have covered in recent high-stakes spots.
Over has hit in 3 of the last 4 head-to-head meetings this season; both teams average 110+ PPG.
Game Odds
Golden State Warriors 219.5
Phoenix Suns – 3.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Thursday, April 16, 2026
