Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors reacts after making a three-point shot over Dillon Brooks #3 of the Phoenix Suns in the primary half at Chase Center on December 20, 2025 in San Francisco, California. Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images/AFP
The Golden State Warriors spent the last month resigned to their fates. Even before they were locked into the NBA play-in tournament, they knew they were headed there and would need to win two games to grab an unlikely playoff spot.
So, they prepared for a two-game season.
And the mission, of their eyes, is just half-finished.
The Warriors — together with Charlotte, Orlando and Phoenix — shall be in win-or-go-home matchups Friday because the NBA play-in tournament involves an in depth and sees two teams grab the last two available spots on the playoff bracket.
Charlotte goes to Orlando, Golden State to Phoenix. Game 1s — at Detroit within the East, at Oklahoma City within the West — await Friday night’s winners.
“That is literally it,” Magic coach Jamahl Mosley said. “That is it.”
Golden State used a 41-23 run over the ultimate 9:49 to shut a comeback road win over the Los Angeles Clippers, turning a 13-point deficit right into a 126-121 win and keeping its season alive. The Warriors hit six more 3-pointers than the Clippers did in that deciding stretch, and people 18 points were precisely the difference over the game-ending run.
“That was fun,” Warriors guard Stephen Curry said. “That’s what you reside for, right there.”
Charlotte — with a victory over Miami, one where LaMelo Ball’s uncalled flagrant foul of Bam Adebayo commanded just about all the eye — won its way into Friday, as did the Warriors. The Magic lost in Philadelphia, giving the 76ers the No. 7 seed within the East and a matchup with Boston. And Phoenix lost at home to Portland, giving the Trail Blazers the No. 7 seed within the West and a matchup with San Antonio.
Seasons are on the road now. Miami and the Clippers have already lost elimination games, and two more teams will join them in offseason mode on Friday night.
“We’ve got to be ready,” Magic forward Paolo Banchero said. “I’ve got to be ready.”
Play-in past performances
This season’s play-in tournament marks Phoenix’s first time within the event. The opposite three remaining teams have all been there no less than once before.
Golden State is in for the fourth time, Charlotte for the third time and Orlando for a second time. (Philadelphia and Portland, who’ve already advanced, were within the play-in for a second time of their histories.)
Golden State is 2-3 in play-in games. Orlando is 1-1, Charlotte is 1-2 and Phoenix is 0-1.
Charlotte Hornets vs Orlando Magic
Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball (1) drives to the basket as Orlando Magic forward Noah Penda, left, defends throughout the second half of an NBA basketball game, Thursday, Jan. 22, 2026, in Orlando, Florida. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Season series: Charlotte, 3-1.
Betting line: Charlotte by 3.5.
At stake: The winner moves on to play No. 1 Detroit within the Eastern Conference quarterfinals, starting Sunday. The loser is out of the playoffs.
Outlook: There’s quite a bit to unpack here. LaMelo Ball is coming off a game where he made the winning shot, took out Bam Adebayo and was told a day later by the league that he must have been ejected from the competition. Orlando lost the last three meetings between the teams by a combined 61 points and has been, to place it kindly, erratic all season. Charlotte won the primary two games in Orlando this season; no team has gone 3-0 or higher on the road against the Magic — excluding the bubble yr — in a season since Detroit in 2006-07. Charlotte’s Miles Bridges has played in additional regular-season games (501) than every other lively player with no playoff appearances. He could end that streak on Friday.
Golden State Warriors vs Phoenix Suns
Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) shoots against Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) throughout the first half of an NBA basketball game in San Francisco, Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2025. (AP Photo/Jed Jacobsohn)
Season series: Golden State, 3-1.
Betting line: Phoenix by 2.5.
At stake: The winner moves on to play No. 1 Oklahoma City within the Western Conference quarterfinals, starting Sunday. The loser is out of the playoffs.
Outlook: Golden State won the primary meeting by 11, a game where Phoenix got down by 25 but had the ball with a likelihood to make it a two-possession game with three minutes left. The opposite games were decided by one, three and 4 points. The Warriors are coming in with a nothing-to-lose vibe and with good reason; they were injury-plagued all yr, finished 37-45 and made clear for the last month that they were just preparing for an inevitable play-in tournament run. Phoenix blew away most preseason expectations by winning 45 games — but now have to beat the sport’s best shooter ever in Stephen Curry to avoid becoming the primary team to go 0-2 at home in a play-in tournament.