In a thrilling matchup on Tuesday night, Stephen Curry lit up the court with 25 points, while Brandin Podziemski contributed 22, leading the Golden State Warriors to a commanding 133-95 victory over the Phoenix Suns. This win is crucial for the Warriors as they navigate a tightly contested Western Conference playoff race.
The Warriors are on a mission to secure one of the top six seeds in the West, aiming to avoid the play-in tournament. Currently, they find themselves in a three-way tie with the Denver Nuggets and Memphis Grizzlies, all sitting at 47-32 for the fourth through sixth spots. Hot on their heels are the Los Angeles Clippers, just a game behind at 46-32.
Golden State wasted no time establishing dominance, racing to a 69-43 lead by halftime. Curry was on fire, scoring 19 points before the break, while Podziemski added 17 to the mix.
In the second half, the Warriors extended their lead to a staggering 41 points, showcasing their offensive prowess and defensive tenacity.
On the other hand, the Suns are struggling, having lost seven consecutive games, and are now on the verge of postseason elimination. For Phoenix to have any chance of sneaking into the Western Conference play-in tournament, they must win their final three games while hoping the Dallas Mavericks lose theirs.
Devin Booker was the standout for the Suns, scoring 21 points, with Grayson Allen and Ryan Dunn contributing 12 points each. However, the overall performance left much to be desired.
The Warriors capitalized on their matchup against a struggling opponent, and with two more favorable games against the Spurs and Trail Blazers on the horizon, they are looking to solidify their playoff position. The season finale against the Clippers could prove pivotal.
As for the Suns, they appear to be ready for the offseason. While Booker had a decent first half, the positives were few and far between.
Moses Moody set the tone early, hitting a 3-pointer with 8:54 left in the first quarter, giving the Warriors a 10-8 lead that they would never relinquish.
The Suns struggled offensively, shooting just 35 of 88 (39.8%) from the field, including a dismal 12 of 43 (27.9%) from beyond the arc.
Looking ahead, the Warriors will host the Spurs on Wednesday, while the Suns will face the Thunder on the same day.
