Phoenix Suns forward Dillon Brooks and guard Jalen Green (4) have fun after defeating the Golden State Warriors during an NBA basketball play-in tournament game, Friday, April 17, 2026, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
PHOENIX — Jalen Green was several feet behind the 3-point line because the shot clock wound down and didn’t have many options, so the Phoenix guard simply squared up and let it fly.
Most often, the third-quarter heave wouldn’t have been a high-percentage shot.
On Friday night, just about everyone knew it was getting into.
READ: NBA: Jalen Green shuts down Steph Curry Warriors in play-in
“I’m completely satisfied as hell, we got here out on fire, we knew this was a do-or-die game, we left it on the ground.” 😁
Jalen Green (36 PTS), all smiles after leading his team to the @SoFi Play-In win! https://t.co/Rx4NiOKHS7 pic.twitter.com/ghUQiqbf4V
— NBA (@NBA) April 18, 2026
“It felt good all night,” Green said.
The 24-year-old Green scored 36 points to steer Phoenix to a 111-96 victory over the Golden State Warriors within the NBA’s play-in tournament. The Suns earned the No. 8 seed within the Western Conference playoffs they usually’ll face the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder in a road game Sunday in Game 1 of the primary round.
Green shot 14 of 20 from the sphere against the Warriors, including 8 of 14 from 3-point range. The eight 3-pointers tied his profession high.
“I believed he was incredibly efficient offensively,” Suns coach Jordan Ott said. “It’s really hard to remain in front of him.”
It was a giant moment for Green, who endured loads of frustration during an injury-filled yr that limited him to only 32 games within the regular season. Green and Dillon Brooks got here to the Suns from the Rockets as a part of the package that sent 15-time All-Star Kevin Durant to Houston.
Green missed the primary half of the season with a hamstring injury after which finally returned, sometimes struggling to regulate to his latest role twiddling with Booker and Brooks. He averaged just 17.8 points, the bottom total since his rookie season.
However the trio appears to be jelling at the precise time. Booker had the assist on 4 of Green’s 3-pointers on Friday.
“I’m very comfortable twiddling with Book,” Green said. “You sort of the best way to pick your poison, the way you’re going to protect it.”
READ: NBA: Jalen Green hits buzzer-beating 3, Suns edge Magic in 2OT
The sport was a bit vindication for Green after he struggled against the Warriors in last yr’s playoffs when he was with the Rockets. He averaged just 13.3 points within the seven-game series, shooting 37% from the sphere.
Green was so good on Friday that Booker — a five-time All-Star — was more of a facilitator, ending with 20 points and eight assists.
“He stepped as much as the test,” Booker said. “The last playoffs might need stuck with him a bit bit, so he’s prepared himself for these moments and capitalized on them.”
Ott said Green’s elite athleticism might be invaluable against Oklahoma City due to his ability to generate shots when it doesn’t appear like there’s one. Green’s 36 points got here three nights after he scored 35 against the Trail Blazers in the primary play-in game, which led to a 114-110 loss.
“Each of those nights, he had it going offensively,” Ott said. “Those guys in playoff games, where the physicality ups, the court shrinks, the power to present the ball to 1 guy and him create a shot is super helpful. We’re finding those pockets.”