Jalen Green fired the Phoenix Suns past the Golden State Warriors as Curry struggled, while the Orlando Magic crushed the Charlotte Hornets in record fashion — as both teams secured their playoff spots.
The NBA PLAYOFFS ARE SET
Who’s going all the way? pic.twitter.com/sBDqC96z9i
— ESPN (@espn) April 18, 2026
Green Goes Ballistic While Curry Struggles
Jalen Green caught fire at the perfect time, dropping 36 points to power the Phoenix Suns to a commanding 111-96 win over the Golden State Warriors in a high-stakes play-in clash.
With the win, Phoenix clinched the No. 8 seed in the Western Conference and now face the defending champions, Oklahoma City Thunder, in Game 1 on Sunday.
For Golden State, it’s curtains on the season.
Green was electric — 14-of-20
shooting, including eight triples — while Devin Booker chipped in 20. Jordan Goodwin added 19 points, nine rebounds, and six steals in a defensive clinic.
JALEN GREEN CAN’T MISS.
8 THREES. TIES THE SOFI PLAY IN RECORD.
🍿 WIN TO GET IN @SoFi Play-In on Prime
🍿 GSW/PHX winner faces Thunder in Round 1 pic.twitter.com/cN8PRLzvQ4— NBA (@NBA) April 18, 2026
The Suns’ biggest win? Locking down Stephen Curry. The 38-year-old struggled for rhythm, finishing with 17 points on a tough 4-of-16 shooting night.
Golden State threatened briefly when Curry cut the deficit to seven in the fourth, but Phoenix responded immediately to shut the door.
Tensions boiled over late as Booker and Draymond Green exchanged words, with both players picking up double technicals and getting ejected.
Magic Obliterate Hornets in One-Sided East Battle
Over in the East, the Orlando Magic made it look easy.
Paolo Banchero led the charge with 25 points as Orlando steamrolled the Charlotte Hornets 121-90 to secure the No. 8 seed.
Their reward? A first-round showdown with the top-seeded Detroit Pistons.
Orlando dominated from the jump, racing to a 35-point first-half lead — the largest in play-in history — and never looked back. Franz Wagner (18 points) and Wendell Carter Jr. (16 points) provided strong support.
And it was the Magic’s defense through the first two quarters, which truly set them up for success.
Orlando’s defense in the 1H:
🔒 5 BLK
🔒 3 STL
🔒 37 PTS allowedA dominant two quarters defensively as they lead at the break! pic.twitter.com/yutfLu1n8r
— NBA (@NBA) April 18, 2026
LaMelo Ball led Charlotte with 23 points — 21 of those coming in the third quarter — but it was far too late to spark a comeback.
The Hornets, outplayed in every department, now extend their playoff drought to 10 seasons, the longest active skid in the NBA.
(with AP inputs)
