Suns eliminate Warriors as Magic rout Hornets for final NBA playoff spots

The Suns got off to a bright start with a 33-15 lead in the first quarter, before the Warriors cut the deficit to five points at half-time.

But Phoenix kept a wasteful Golden State at arms' length, successfully limiting veteran superstar Curry to just 17 points.

With barely a minute left, Jordan Goodwin intercepted a pass intended for Steph Curry, and scored a transition bucket, before adding a three on Phoenix's next possession to secure the win.

Victory set up a first-round playoff clash for Phoenix with Oklahoma City Thunder, the defending NBA champions. 

"Happy as hell. We came out fire, we knew this was a do-or-die game," said Green, who added six rebounds and four assists.

For the injury-plagued and ageing Warriors, who won the NBA title in 2022, it was a disappointing end to a third consecutive season in the play-in tournament, crashing out before the playoffs as they did in 2024.

In fiery late scenes, two Warriors players -- Draymond Green and Devin Booker -- were ejected from the court, with Green continuing to taunt the home Phoenix fans as he departed.

- Magic outmuscle Hornets -

Orlando beat the Hornets 121-90 to keep their season alive and set up a daunting first-round playoff series for the Magic against the Eastern Conference top-seeded Detroit Pistons. 

Paolo Banchero top-scored with 25 points in Orlando's last chance to qualify for the post-season via the play-in tournament, having failed at their first attempt against the Philadelphia 76ers on Wednesday.

A physical, tough Magic outfit outmuscled the youthful Hornets from the tip-off of the win-or-go-home game in front of a sell-out 19,000 home crowd at Orlando's Kia Canter.

Banchero bulldozed Charlotte's defense, scoring 12 in the first quarter alone. 

Having never trailed by more than a single point, Orlando soon stretched comfortably clear, establishing a giant 35-point lead shortly before half-time.

Recovering from a sluggish start, LaMelo Bell -- the hero of the Hornets' first play-in game against Miami on Tuesday -- exploded after the break.

He poured in 21 points in the third quarter alone as he tried to single-handedly extend Charlotte's season. 

But Orlando's lead never dipped below 20 points, as the Magic eased to a win against a Charlotte side that had finished the regular season in strong form.

Victory ensured the Magic have reached the playoffs for the third straight season, while the Hornets' decade-long wait goes on.

The NBA playoffs begin Saturday.

amz/hol