Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors reacts after making a three-point shot over Dillon Brooks #3 of the Phoenix Suns within the first half at Chase Middle on December 20, 2025 in San Francisco, California. Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Pictures/AFP
The Golden State Warriors spent the final month resigned to their fates. Even earlier than they had been locked into the NBA play-in event, they knew they had been headed there and must win two video games to seize an unlikely playoff spot.
So, they ready for a two-game season.
And the mission, of their eyes, is simply half-finished.
The Warriors — together with Charlotte, Orlando and Phoenix — shall be in win-or-go-home matchups Friday because the NBA play-in event involves a detailed and sees two groups seize the final two obtainable spots on the playoff bracket.
Charlotte goes to Orlando, Golden State to Phoenix. Sport 1s — at Detroit within the East, at Oklahoma Metropolis within the West — await Friday night time’s winners.
“That is actually it,” Magic coach Jamahl Mosley stated. “That is it.”
Golden State used a 41-23 run over the ultimate 9:49 to shut a comeback highway win over the Los Angeles Clippers, turning a 13-point deficit right into a 126-121 win and protecting its season alive. The Warriors hit six extra 3-pointers than the Clippers did in that deciding stretch, and people 18 factors had been precisely the distinction over the game-ending run.
“That was enjoyable,” Warriors guard Stephen Curry stated. “That’s what you reside for, proper there.”
Charlotte — with a victory over Miami, one the place LaMelo Ball’s uncalled flagrant foul of Bam Adebayo commanded virtually all the eye — gained its approach into Friday, as did the Warriors. The Magic misplaced in Philadelphia, giving the 76ers the No. 7 seed within the East and a matchup with Boston. And Phoenix misplaced at residence to Portland, giving the Path 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 misplaced elimination video games, and two extra groups will be part of them in offseason mode on Friday night time.
“We’ve received to be prepared,” Magic ahead Paolo Banchero stated. “I’ve received to be prepared.”
Play-in previous performances
This season’s play-in event marks Phoenix’s first time within the occasion. The opposite three remaining groups have all been there at the least as soon as earlier than.
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 superior, had been within the play-in for a second time of their histories.)
Golden State is 2-3 in play-in video 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 ahead Noah Penda, left, defends through the second half of an NBA basketball recreation, Thursday, Jan. 22, 2026, in Orlando, Florida. (AP Picture/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Season collection: Charlotte, 3-1.
Betting line: Charlotte by 3.5.
At stake: The winner strikes on to play No. 1 Detroit within the Japanese Convention quarterfinals, beginning Sunday. The loser is out of the playoffs.
Outlook: There’s loads to unpack right here. LaMelo Ball is coming off a recreation the place he made the successful shot, took out Bam Adebayo and was instructed a day later by the league that he ought to have been ejected from the competition. Orlando misplaced the final three conferences between the groups by a mixed 61 factors and has been, to place it kindly, erratic all season. Charlotte gained the primary two video games in Orlando this season; no workforce has gone 3-0 or higher on the highway in opposition to the Magic — excluding the bubble 12 months — in a season since Detroit in 2006-07. Charlotte’s Miles Bridges has performed in additional regular-season video games (501) than every other energetic participant with no playoff appearances. He may finish that streak on Friday.
Golden State Warriors vs Phoenix Suns
Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) shoots in opposition to Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) through the first half of an NBA basketball recreation in San Francisco, Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2025. (AP Picture/Jed Jacobsohn)
Season collection: Golden State, 3-1.
Betting line: Phoenix by 2.5.
At stake: The winner strikes on to play No. 1 Oklahoma Metropolis within the Western Convention quarterfinals, beginning Sunday. The loser is out of the playoffs.
Outlook: Golden State gained the primary assembly by 11, a recreation the place Phoenix received down by 25 however had the ball with an opportunity to make it a two-possession recreation with three minutes left. The opposite video games had been determined by one, three and 4 factors. The Warriors are coming in with a nothing-to-lose vibe and with good cause; they had been injury-plagued all 12 months, completed 37-45 and made clear for the final month that they had been simply preparing for an inevitable play-in event run. Phoenix blew away most preseason expectations by successful 45 video games — however now have to beat the sport’s finest shooter ever in Stephen Curry to keep away from changing into the primary workforce to go 0-2 at residence in a play-in event.
