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Jalen Green and the Suns defeated the Warriors to advance to face the Oklahoma City Thunder in the 2026 NBA Playoffs.<\/p>\n
Enjoy the best of the SoFi Play-In Tournament<\/a> with the NBA.com live blog, featuring all of the meaningful moments, performances, observations, news, notes and highlights from Friday night\u2019s action.<\/p>\n Our slate began with LaMelo Ball\u2019s Hornets taking on Paolo Banchero\u2019s Magic, which Orlando took to advance to face Detroit in the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs.<\/p>\n In the nightcap, Jalen Green led the Suns over the Warriors to move on to face the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder.<\/p>\n What we know about Friday\u2019s games:<\/p>\n The Magic defeated the Hornets 121-90<\/a>, as all five starters scored in double figurers, led by Paolo Banchero (25 pts, 5 reb, 6 ast). APRIL 18, 2026 \/ 12:59 ET<\/p>\n Saturday\u2019s results<\/p>\n We\u2019re done for the evening!<\/p>\n Here ends tonight\u2019s NBA.com live blog, as the Magic and Suns earn the eight seed and advance to the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs, which begin tomorrow at 1 ET on Prime with Raptors-Cavaliers.<\/p>\n Your scores:<\/p>\n Jalen Green (36 pts, 8 3PM) is your top performer of the night.<\/p>\n APRIL 18, 2026 \/ 12:48 ET<\/p>\n Suns defeat the Warriors<\/p>\n The Suns scored 30 points off 20 Golden State turnovers, earning a 111-96<\/a> win to earn the eight seed and the right to play the Oklahoma City Thunder in the first round.<\/p>\n Phoenix maintained control throughout the contest, leading by as many as 18 and closing out the Warriors\u2019 last attempts at a comeback in the fourth quarter.<\/p>\n JALEN GREEN CAN’T MISS.<\/p>\n 8 THREES. TIES THE SOFI PLAY IN RECORD.<\/p>\n \ud83c\udf7f WIN TO GET IN @SoFi<\/a> Play-In on Prime \u2014 NBA (@NBA) April 18, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m happy as hell,\u201d said Jalen Green (36 pts, 8 3PM). \u201cThat\u2019s what we needed to do.\u201d<\/p>\n APRIL 18, 2026 \/ 12:38 ET<\/p>\n Phoenix looks to move on<\/p>\n 105-90 with 2:02 to go. What will happen with the Golden State Warriors next season? Stephen Curry is 38; Draymond Green is 36.<\/p>\n Kristaps Porzi\u0146\u0123is adds some juice to their future \u2014 we\u2019ll see what they look like, as they wait for Jimmy Butler III to return.<\/p>\n APRIL 18, 2026 \/ 12:26 ET<\/p>\n Suns rising in the West<\/p>\n 99-84 with 5:21 to go in the fourth quarter. Phoenix keeps answering every Golden State bucket, not providing an opening to mount a potential comeback.<\/p>\n APRIL 18, 2026 \/ 12:19 ET<\/p>\n Jalen Green on a heater<\/p>\n A personal 8-0 run for Jalen Green (36 pts, 14-of-20 shooting, 8 3PM, 3 BLK), putting the Suns up 92-78 with 7:15 to go in the fourth quarter.<\/p>\n APRIL 18, 2026 \/ 12:13 ET<\/p>\n Suns up after three<\/p>\n 78-69. The Suns are winning the turnover battle 14-10 and outshooting the Warriors from 3-point range, 13 makes to six, as they chase the eight seed in the Western Conference.<\/p>\n APRIL 17, 2026 \/ 11:57 ET<\/p>\n Green from way downtown<\/p>\n Jalen Green (25 pts, 7-of-12 from 3-point range) just hit a 28-foot 3-pointer to give the Suns to a 72-62 lead.<\/p>\n Dropping one down from Tempe.<\/p>\n APRIL 17, 2026 \/ 11:52 ET<\/p>\n Suns retake control<\/p>\n 69-53 with 4:54 to go in the third quarter. Jalen Green\u2019s up to 22 points on the night, while the Suns have a 22-5 advantage in points off turnovers.<\/p>\n APRIL 17, 2026 \/ 11:21 ET<\/p>\n Suns lead at the break<\/p>\n 50-45 Phoenix, with Golden State winning the second quarter 30-17 to get back in the contest.<\/p>\n Jalen Green (14 pts, 4 3PM) has it going for the Suns, while Brandin Podziemski (12 pts) is the top scorer for the Warriors.<\/p>\n Clock ticking\u2026 \ud83c\udf7f WIN TO GET IN @SoFi<\/a> Play-In on Prime \u2014 NBA (@NBA) April 18, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n APRIL 17, 2026 \/ 11:14 ET<\/p>\n The Chef heartily delivers<\/p>\n Stephen Curry just delivered a remarkable steal and transition 3-pointer \u2014 he pulled up on the break, drifting to his right, off-balance, on the right wing and knocked it down \u2014 then hit Gui Santos with a lead pass in a tight window, allowing him to attack Devin Booker at the rim for a transition layup.<\/p>\n 47-40 Suns with 2:07 to go in the first half.<\/p>\n APRIL 17, 2026 \/ 11:02 ET<\/p>\n Warriors battling back<\/p>\n 42-29 Suns, after the Warriors cut the lead to eight before Jalen Green (11 pts) hit a 3-pointer and Jordan Goodwin followed with a layup.<\/p>\n APRIL 17, 2026 \/ 10:51 ET<\/p>\n Suns have it rolling<\/p>\n 18-4 PHX run to close the 1Q \ud83d\udd25<\/p>\n Collin Gillespie pulls up for the jumper to cap a strong opening frame for the Suns.<\/p>\n A matchup with OKC in the NBA Playoffs presented by @Google<\/a> is on the line! pic.twitter.com\/memnj4aD8u<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 NBA (@NBA) April 18, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n APRIL 17, 2026 \/ 10:31 ET<\/p>\n Suns lead Warriors early<\/p>\n 18-11 Suns with 5:00 to go in the first quarter after Phoenix opened this game on a 13-2 run.<\/p>\n All five starters have scored in the early moments for both teams, with the Suns knocking down four of their first 10 3-pointers (40%).<\/p>\n Jalen Green. PURE.<\/p>\n Suns open this WIN AND GET IN matchup on a 13-2 run \ud83d\udd25@SoFi<\/a> Play-In action is LIVE on Prime \ud83c\udf7f pic.twitter.com\/ni8YwGvZhK<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 NBA (@NBA) April 18, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n APRIL 17, 2026 \/ 10:24 ET<\/p>\n Magic defeat Hornets<\/p>\n 121-90, moving on to face the Detroit Pistons in the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs.<\/p>\n Paolo Banchero (25 pts, 5 reb, 6 ast) led the way for Orlando, which had all five starters score in double figures on their way to victory.<\/p>\n LaMelo Ball (23 pts, 5 ast) was the star for the Hornets.<\/p>\n Detroit and Orlando spit their season series 2-2, with the teams trading wins.<\/p>\n APRIL 17, 2026 \/ 9:58 ET<\/p>\n Orlando hitting the floor first<\/p>\n Bane saves it. TEXTBOOK HUSTLE BASKETBALL \ud83d\udd25<\/p>\n Orlando pushing for a Round 1 matchup with DET! pic.twitter.com\/MQTwoA50o0<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 NBA (@NBA) April 18, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n APRIL 17, 2026 \/ 9:39 ET<\/p>\n Magic letting loose<\/p>\n \u201cIt just feels like all this was pent up and released by the Magic,\u201d said Ian Eagle.<\/p>\n 91-66 Orlando with 2:46 left in the third quarter. LaMelo Ball (18 pts) has 16 points in the third quarter, but it hasn\u2019t been enough to make a dent in their lead.<\/p>\n The Magic had the second-best defensive rating in the NBA in 2024-25 (109.6), but that dipped to 11th this season (114.3). They\u2019ve been in throwback form tonight.<\/p>\n APRIL 17, 2026 \/ 9:24 ET<\/p>\n Hornets scrapping into the lane<\/p>\n \u201cThe Magic have opened the door just a little bit,\u201d said Stan Van Gundy. \u201cIt\u2019s just propped open.\u201d<\/p>\n The Hornets are in the bonus early in the third quarter, with Orlando leading 76-50.<\/p>\n APRIL 17, 2026 \/ 8:45 ET<\/p>\n Magic dominating at the half<\/p>\n 68-37, as Orlando\u2019s defense locks down Charlotte\u2019s high-powered offense. After struggling in recent weeks, the rock-ribbed core of the Magic has shown up tonight.<\/p>\n The Hornets are shooting 31.7% shooting from the field so far, while the Magic are at 61%. Orlando has a 38-12 advantage in points in the paint.<\/p>\n Paolo Banchero (16 pts) leads all scorers, while Jalen Suggs and Wendell Carter Jr. (12 pts apiece) have chipped in for Orlando. Brandon Miller (12 pts) is the top man for Charlotte.<\/p>\n APRIL 17, 2026 \/ 8:32 ET<\/p>\n The breakaway jam<\/p>\n Paolo Banchero breakaway finish! \ud83d\ude32<\/p>\n Magic are feeling this half with the 8 seed on the line! pic.twitter.com\/3QEuv2nxCo<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 NBA (@NBA) April 18, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n APRIL 17, 2026 \/ 8:17 ET<\/p>\n Magic take a 21-point lead<\/p>\n 43-21, with 10:07 to go in the second quarter. Orlando\u2019s in control on Prime.<\/p>\n APRIL 17, 2026 \/ 8:10 ET<\/p>\n Orlando up after the first<\/p>\n 38-16.<\/p>\n \u201cThis was a serious Magic act,\u201d quipped Ian Eagle as the game went to break.<\/p>\n The Magic have a 24-4 advantage in points in the paint so far, dropping 10 dimes to four for Charlotte, as they\u2019ve established control in the Kia Center.<\/p>\n They\u2019ve led by as many as 22, holding the Hornets to 25% shooting.<\/p>\n APRIL 17, 2026 \/ 8:06 ET<\/p>\n A little Magic from Paolo<\/p>\n WATCH THIS PAOLO PASS \ud83e\udd2f<\/p>\n A no-looker over the shoulder to cap a 18-5 Magic run! pic.twitter.com\/pHd4souvBJ<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 NBA (@NBA) April 17, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n APRIL 17, 2026 \/ 7:57 ET<\/p>\n Orlando\u2019s defense in control<\/p>\n The Hornets have five turnovers so far to one to the Magic, as Orlando\u2019s held Charlotte to 26.7% shooting so far.<\/p>\n 27-10 Magic with 3:43 to go in the first quarter.<\/p>\n \u201cThis team was ready,\u201d said Ian Eagle. \u201cAnd they\u2019re playing like it.\u201d<\/p>\n APRIL 17, 2026 \/ 7:51 ET<\/p>\n Watch the battle in the paint<\/p>\n The Magic have 12 of their 14 points in the paint so far \u2014 if the Hornets can\u2019t contain them at the tin, it could be a long night for them.<\/p>\n Ryan Kalkbrenner, the Hornets\u2019 7\u20191\u2033 center who averaged 1.5 blk per game this season, just entered the game.<\/p>\n APRIL 17, 2026 \/ 7:45 ET<\/p>\n Magic up early<\/p>\n 10-5. They\u2019re outmuscling the Hornets so far, with both Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner driving at Brandon Miller and getting to the rim.<\/p>\n APRIL 17, 2026 \/ 7:30 ET<\/p>\n Get hyped for tonight\u2019s contests<\/p>\n The SoFi Play-In Tournament has been incredible so far. What does tonight\u2019s action have in store?<\/p>\n MUST-WIN @SoFi<\/a> PLAY-IN MATCHUPS.<\/p>\n \ud83c\udfc0 Hornets vs. Magic for East 8-seed \ud83c\udf7f CHA\/ORL: 7:30pm\/et, GSW\/PHX: 10pm\/et
\nThe Suns beat the Warriors 111-96<\/a> behind Jalen Green (36 pts, 6 reb) and a series of timely shots down the stretch, extinguishing the threat of a comeback.<\/p>\n
\ud83c\udf7f GSW\/PHX winner faces Thunder in Round 1 pic.twitter.com\/cN8PRLzvQ4<\/a><\/p>\n
Corner triple fading away\u2026
MONEY for Jalen Green (game-high 14 PTS) as PHX leads at half!<\/p>\n
\ud83c\udf7f GSW\/PHX winner faces Thunder in Round 1 pic.twitter.com\/MJOGJF5frH<\/a><\/p>\n
Wagner lobs.
Cain throws it down.<\/p>\n
\ud83c\udfc0 Warriors vs. Suns for West 8-seed<\/p>\n
\ud83d\udcfa Prime pic.twitter.com\/4Da3J3xFMj<\/a><\/p>\n
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