Warriors vs. Suns Preview: Final Play-In Game for 8th Seed on April 17, 2026
The Phoenix Suns and Golden State Warriors will meet in a winner-take-all NBA Play-In Tournament game on Friday, April 17, 2026, at 7:00 p.m. MT at the Footprint Center in Phoenix, Arizona. The victor will secure the Western Conference’s eighth seed and earn a first-round matchup against the top-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder beginning April 19.
This game determines the final playoff participant from the West after both teams navigated separate paths to this contest. The Suns, who finished the regular season as the seventh seed (45-37), lost their initial home Play-In game to the Portland Trail Blazers on April 14, 2026, surrendering an 11-point fourth-quarter lead in a 114-110 defeat. The Warriors, entering as the tenth seed (37-45), advanced by defeating the ninth-seeded Los Angeles Clippers 126-121 on April 15, 2026, at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California, overcoming a 13-point deficit with under ten minutes remaining.
How the Teams Reached This Game
Phoenix earned its second Play-In opportunity by locking up the seventh seed in the final regular-season standings. Their loss to the Blazers on April 14 came despite holding a double-digit lead late in the game, marking their second consecutive defeat to conclude the season.
Golden State’s path required an upset victory over the Clippers. Stephen Curry led the Warriors with a game-high 35 points, including the go-ahead three-pointer with 50.4 seconds left in the contest. Golden State shot 46% from three-point range (19-for-41) in the win, overcoming adversity after facing significant injury challenges throughout the season.
Key Player Information
For the Suns, Devin Booker has been a consistent offensive threat, recently posting a season-high 38 points in an earlier November 2025 matchup against Golden State while converting all 11 of his free-throw attempts. Mark Williams has provided interior presence, recording a season-best 16 rebounds in that same November game.
The Warriors’ success hinges on the health and performance of Stephen Curry, who has dealt with multiple injuries this season, including a knee issue that sidelined him for 27 games. Jimmy Butler’s availability has similarly been uncertain due to recurring lower-back soreness, though he participated in the Warriors’ win over the Clippers after pregame warmup.
Role players have contributed significantly for Golden State in recent outings. Moses Moody scored 24 points off the bench with five three-pointers in the November 2025 Suns game, while Quinten Post added 14 points and Brandin Podziemski chipped in 13 points in that contest.
Series Context and Odds
Golden State won the regular-season series against Phoenix 3-1, including a 101-97 victory on February 5, 2026, where they overcame a 14-point fourth-quarter deficit without Curry. That remains their most recent head-to-head meeting.
Heading into the April 17 contest, the Phoenix Suns opened as slight favorites in the matchup, reflecting their higher regular-season finish and home-court advantage for the decisive Play-In game.
How to Watch
The game will be broadcast nationally in the United States. Viewers can tune in via major sports networks carrying NBA Play-In Tournament coverage, with additional streaming options available through the NBA’s official platforms and affiliated broadcast partners.
What’s at Stake
Beyond securing the eighth seed, the winner avoids elimination and keeps alive their postseason hopes against the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder. For Phoenix, a win would prevent them from becoming the first seventh-seeded team to miss the playoffs since the Play-In format’s inception five years ago. For Golden State, advancing would mark a remarkable late-season surge fueled by their Play-In victory over the Clippers.
The outcome will finalize the Western Conference’s playoff bracket for the opening round, setting the stage for a best-of-seven series beginning April 19 between the winner and the top-seeded Thunder.