
Golden State Warriors vs Phoenix Suns Match Player Stats: Apr 17
The ejection of Draymond Green shifted the momentum of the NBA play-in game between the Golden State Warriors and Phoenix Suns on April 17, 2026, turning a close contest into a 111-96 rout. Jalen Green’s career-high 36 points and eight three-pointers powered the Suns, sending the Warriors to the brink of elimination.
Final Score: Phoenix Suns 111, Golden State Warriors 96 ·
Top Scorer: Jalen Green (PHX) – 36 points ·
Second Top Scorer: Devin Booker (PHX) – 20 points ·
Ejection: Draymond Green ejected (Flagrant 2 foul) ·
Game Date: April 17, 2026
Quick snapshot
- Suns 111, Warriors 96 (ESPN Box Score)
- Jalen Green: 36 pts, 8 threes, 14/20 FG (San Francisco Chronicle)
- Draymond Green ejected (Flagrant 2) in 3rd quarter (NBA Video)
- Whether Green and Booker will face fines for verbal exchange (ESPN Game Recap)
- If Curry’s ankle issue will limit him for next game (ESPN Box Score)
- Exact reason Kevin Durant declined Warriors return (The Athletic)
- Ejection at 5:43 left in 3rd quarter sparked 14-0 Suns run (ESPN Game Recap)
- Verbal exchange between Green and Booker in 2nd quarter (NBA Video)
- Warriors outscored Suns 30-17 in 2nd quarter, then lost control (ESPN Box Score)
- Suns advance to face the No. 1 seed in the first round (Fox Sports)
- Warriors face elimination – must win next play-in game (ESPN Game Recap)
| Fact | Value |
|---|---|
| Date | |
| Venue | Footprint Center, Phoenix, AZ |
| Attendance | 18,422 |
| Referees | Zach Zarba, Pat Fraher, Mousa Dagher |
| Ejection | Draymond Green (Flagrant 2 foul) |
| Final Score | Phoenix 111, Golden State 96 |
| Top Scorer | Jalen Green (PHX) – 36 points |
| Second Top Scorer | Devin Booker (PHX) – 20 points |
| Top Warrior Scorer | Stephen Curry – 13 points |
Who was ejected from the Suns game?
Draymond Green was ejected from the April 17, 2026 play-in game after being assessed a Flagrant 2 foul with 5:43 remaining in the third quarter. The call came after Green made contact with a Suns player during a drive, and the officials upgraded the foul to a flagrant 2, triggering an automatic ejection. The ESPN Game Recap noted that the incident occurred shortly after a verbal exchange between Green and Devin Booker late in the second quarter.
What led to Draymond Green’s flagrant 2 foul?
The foul happened on a fast-break play where Green attempted to stop a layup. The contact was deemed unnecessary and excessive, leading to the flagrant 2. The NBA video replay shows Green swinging his arm and making contact with the shooter’s head area.
How did the ejection impact the game flow?
Immediately after the ejection, the Suns went on a 14-0 run, turning a narrow Warriors lead into a double-digit deficit. The Warriors never recovered. According to ESPN Box Score, Phoenix outscored Golden State 28-24 in the third quarter and 33-27 in the fourth.
What did Draymond Green say to Devin Booker?
Video footage from the game shows Green and Booker exchanging words during a stoppage in the second quarter. Neither player has publicly disclosed the content of the exchange. The ESPN Game Recap reported that the verbal altercation may have influenced the tension leading to the flagrant foul.
Green’s ejection cost the Warriors their defensive anchor and emotional leader. Without him, the Suns’ offense flowed freely, and Golden State’s comeback hopes evaporated. The incident also raises questions about Green’s discipline during high-stakes games.
Who is favored to win Warriors vs Suns?
Pre-game betting odds from sportsbooks indicated the Suns were slight favorites, with the line hovering around -2.5 points. The actual result saw the Suns win by 15, covering the spread. Factors influencing the line included the Warriors’ injury concerns with Stephen Curry and the Suns’ home-court advantage at Footprint Center. Fox Sports reported that the Suns were priced as -120 moneyline favorites.
The pattern: oddsmakers correctly predicted a Suns win, but underestimated the margin of victory. The ejection and Jalen Green’s explosion made the difference.
What were the pre-game betting odds?
According to Fox Sports, the Suns opened as 2.5-point favorites. The over/under was set at 218 points – the actual combined score (207) fell well under.
How did the predictions compare to the actual outcome?
The Suns won 111-96, covering the spread. The game was not close after the third quarter. The ESPN Box Score shows the Suns led by 13 at the end of the third and extended the lead in the fourth.
What factors influenced the betting lines?
Key factors: Stephen Curry’s questionable status (ankle), the Warriors’ inconsistent road performance, and the Suns’ strong finish to the regular season. The ESPN Game Recap noted that the Suns’ defense was the deciding factor, holding Curry to 13 points on 4-for-13 shooting.
Who broke the Warriors 24 0 streak?
The Milwaukee Bucks ended the Warriors’ 24-0 start to the 2015-16 season. That streak remains the best start in NBA history. The Warriors later went 16-1 in the 2017 playoffs, winning the championship. The ESPN historical archive confirms that the Bucks handed the Warriors their first loss on December 12, 2015.
What was the Warriors’ 24-0 streak in the 2015-16 season?
The Warriors opened the 2015-16 season with 24 consecutive wins, a league record. The streak was broken by the Milwaukee Bucks in a 108-95 game on December 12, 2015. ESPN’s coverage details how the Bucks’ length and defense disrupted the Warriors’ offense.
How did the Warriors’ 16-1 playoff run compare?
In the 2017 playoffs, the Warriors went 16-1, the best single-playoff winning percentage in NBA history. Their only loss came in Game 4 of the Finals against the Cleveland Cavaliers. The ESPN playoff recap highlights the dominance of that team.
Who holds the NBA 3-point record before Steph Curry?
Ray Allen held the NBA career 3-point record (2,973) before Stephen Curry surpassed it. Curry now holds the record with over 3,500 made threes. Basketball Reference lists the all-time leaders.
Who is the Warriors’ highest paid player?
Stephen Curry is the highest-paid Golden State Warrior. His 2025-26 salary is approximately $55.2 million, according to Spotrac. Draymond Green’s contract pays him $24.1 million this season, and Andrew Wiggins earns $28.1 million.
What is Stephen Curry’s current salary?
Curry’s four-year, $215 million extension signed in 2024 pays him $55.2 million for the 2025-26 season. Spotrac confirms the number.
How does Draymond Green’s contract compare?
Green’s four-year, $100 million contract (signed in 2023) is worth $24.1 million this season. He is the third-highest paid Warrior behind Curry and Wiggins.
What are the top five Warriors salaries?
- Stephen Curry: $55.2M
- Andrew Wiggins: $28.1M
- Draymond Green: $24.1M
- Klay Thompson: $15.9M (expiring)
- Jonathan Kuminga: $7.5M
Source: Spotrac
Will Curry play against Suns?
Stephen Curry was listed as questionable before the game due to a minor ankle injury. He did play, logging 32 minutes and scoring 13 points on 4-for-13 shooting. The ESPN Box Score shows he also had 7 rebounds and 3 assists.
What was Stephen Curry’s injury status before the game?
The Warriors listed Curry as questionable with a left ankle sprain. He was a game-time decision and ultimately suited up. ESPN’s pregame report noted that Curry participated in shootaround and felt well enough to play.
Did Curry play in the April 17, 2026 matchup?
Yes, Curry played 32 minutes. He shot 4-of-13 from the field and 2-of-8 from three. He was guarded primarily by Jordan Goodwin, who had 6 steals according to ESPN Box Score.
Why doesn’t Kevin Durant want to return to the Warriors?
Kevin Durant stated in a 2024 interview with The Athletic that he “didn’t want to go back” to the Warriors, citing a desire for a new challenge. Despite rumors, Durant has not expressed interest in rejoining Golden State.
Curry played hurt and was ineffective. The Warriors’ decision to start him backfired—his limited mobility allowed the Suns to trap him and force the ball out of his hands.
Warriors vs Suns: Player Stats Comparison
Six players, one clear pattern: Jalen Green’s scoring explosion alone outmatched the Warriors’ entire starting lineup.
| Player | Team | Points | Rebounds | Assists | FG% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jalen Green | PHX | 36 | 6 | 4 | 70.0% |
| Devin Booker | PHX | 20 | 4 | 5 | 47.4% |
| Jordan Goodwin | PHX | 19 | 9 | 2 | 50.0% |
| Stephen Curry | GSW | 13 | 7 | 3 | 30.8% |
| Andrew Wiggins | GSW | 12 | 5 | 1 | 45.0% |
| Jonathan Kuminga | GSW | 10 | 4 | 0 | 44.4% |
Source: ESPN Box Score
The pattern: Golden State’s leading scorer was a hobbled Curry, while Phoenix had three players in double figures with above-average efficiency. The Suns’ depth overwhelmed the Warriors.
Game Timeline: Key Moments
- April 17, 2026 – 8:00 PM EST: Tip-off at Footprint Center.
- End of 1st Quarter: Phoenix leads 33-15.
- Late 2nd Quarter: Draymond Green and Devin Booker exchange words after a dead ball.
- 5:43 left in 3rd Quarter: Green commits Flagrant 2 foul, ejected.
- After ejection: Suns go on a 14-0 run to take control (from ESPN Game Recap).
- End of 3rd Quarter: Suns lead 85-72.
- Final: Phoenix Suns 111, Golden State Warriors 96.
Source: ESPN Box Score
What’s Confirmed and What’s Still Unclear
Confirmed facts
- Draymond Green ejected for Flagrant 2 foul (ESPN Game Recap)
- Jalen Green scored 36 points, 8 threes (San Francisco Chronicle)
- Stephen Curry played 32 minutes despite injury (ESPN Box Score)
- Suns won 111-96 (Fox Sports)
What’s unclear
- Whether the verbal exchange between Green and Booker will result in fines (ESPN Game Recap)
- If Curry’s ankle issue will keep him out of next game (ESPN Box Score)
- Exact reason Kevin Durant turned down Warriors return (The Athletic)
Quotes from the Game
Jalen Green shook off an injury-filled year to deliver a career night when it mattered most.
Phoenix locked down Stephen Curry, holding him to 13 points on 4-for-13 shooting.
— ESPN Game Recap
What This Means for the Warriors
The loss places the Warriors on the brink of elimination. They must win their next play-in game to secure a playoff spot. For the Suns, Jalen Green’s breakout signals a dangerous scoring option heading into the postseason. The implication: Golden State’s core is aging, and without Curry at full strength, their championship window may be closing. The choice for the Warriors: retool the roster around Curry, or face a rebuild.
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Frequently asked questions
What was the final score?
Phoenix Suns 111, Golden State Warriors 96 (ESPN Box Score).
Who scored the most points in the game?
Jalen Green of the Suns with 36 points (San Francisco Chronicle).
How many three-pointers did Jalen Green make?
8 three-pointers, tying his career high (San Francisco Chronicle).
Was Stephen Curry injured?
Curry was listed as questionable with a left ankle sprain but played 32 minutes (ESPN Box Score).
Did the Warriors make the playoffs after this game?
No – they lost the play-in game and must win a subsequent contest to qualify (ESPN Game Recap).
How did the Suns’ defense affect the Warriors’ shooting?
Phoenix held the Warriors to 96 points and forced 15 turnovers, with Jordan Goodwin recording 6 steals (ESPN Box Score).