Phoenix Suns ended Golden State Warriors’ season and Orlando Magic thrashed Charlotte Hornets because the NBA playoffs’ ultimate groups had been determined Friday.
Jalen Inexperienced put in a stunning efficiency with 36 factors, together with eight triples, to safe the Western Convention No. 8 seed for Phoenix with a 111-96 win over Stephen Curry’s Warriors.
The Suns obtained off to a vibrant begin with a 33-15 lead within the first quarter, earlier than the Warriors lower the deficit to 5 factors at half-time.
However the Suns nonetheless managed to maintain the wasteful Warriors at arms’ size, efficiently limiting veteran celebrity Curry to simply 17 factors.
With barely a minute left, Jordan Goodwin intercepted a go supposed for Curry, and scored a transition bucket, earlier than including a 3 on the Suns’ subsequent possession to safe the win.
Victory arrange a first-round playoff conflict for the Suns towards Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder, the defending NBA champion.
“Joyful as hell. We got here out hearth, we knew this was a do-or-die sport,” mentioned Inexperienced, who added six rebounds and 4 assists.
For the injury-plagued and ageing Warriors, who received the NBA title in 2022, it was a disappointing finish to a 3rd consecutive season within the play-in match, crashing out earlier than the playoffs as they did in 2024.
In fiery late scenes, two Warriors gamers — Draymond Inexperienced and Devin Booker — had been ejected from the court docket, with Inexperienced persevering with to taunt the house Suns’ followers as he departed.
Magic outmuscle Hornets
The Magic beat the Hornets 121-90 to maintain their season alive and arrange a frightening first-round playoff sequence towards the Japanese Convention top-seeded Detroit Pistons.
Paolo Banchero top-scored with 25 factors within the Magic’s final likelihood to qualify for the post-season by way of the play-in match, having failed at their first try towards the Philadelphia 76ers on Wednesday.
A bodily, powerful Magic outfit outmuscled the youthful Hornets from the tip-off of the win-or-go-home sport in entrance of a sell-out 19,000 dwelling crowd on the Magic’s Kia Canter.
Banchero bulldozed Hornets’ defence, scoring 12 within the first quarter alone.
Having by no means trailed by greater than a single level, the Magic quickly stretched comfortably clear, establishing a large 35-point lead shortly earlier than half-time.
Recovering from a sluggish begin, LaMelo Bell — the hero of the Hornets’ first play-in sport towards Miami on Tuesday —exploded after the break.
He poured in 21 factors within the third quarter alone as he tried to single-handedly lengthen the Hornets’ season.
However the Magic’s lead by no means dipped under 20 factors, as they eased to a win towards a the Hornets who had completed the common season in robust type.
Victory ensured the Magic have reached the playoffs for the third straight season, whereas the Hornets’ decade-long wait goes on.
The NBA playoffs start Saturday.
Revealed on Apr 18, 2026