Warriors Vs Suns: Dillon Brooks Picks Golden State for Win-or-Go-Home Clash
PHOENIX — warriors vs suns is now a winner-take-all matchup after Dillon Brooks made clear he wanted Golden State next in the NBA Play-In Tournament. The Phoenix Suns forward said after Thursday’s practice that his preference was “Steph and Draymond” and “Steve Kerr, ” setting up a decisive game in downtown Phoenix on Friday. The winner claims the Western Conference’s eighth seed and moves on to face the top-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder, while the loser’s season ends.
Warriors Vs Suns: What Is at Stake in Phoenix
The stakes are direct and immediate. The Suns enter Friday’s elimination contest after losing Tuesday night’s Play-In game against the Portland Trail Blazers, while the Warriors arrived after beating the LA Clippers on Wednesday night to stay alive.
That victory came behind Stephen Curry, who scored 27 of his 35 points in the second half while Golden State erased a late 13-point deficit. Curry was playing in just his fifth game since missing 27 contests with knee issues, and Suns coach Jordan Ott said Thursday that he “looked like the same Steph Curry. ”
For Phoenix, the focus is on keeping Curry from taking over again. Brooks may not be the only defender tasked with that job, as guard Jordan Goodwin is also expected to help. Suns forward Royce O’Neale kept the message simple: “We know what’s at stake. ”
Warriors Vs Suns and Dillon Brooks’ Edge
Brooks’ interest in this matchup is rooted in history. He has previous clashes with Curry, Draymond Green and Warriors coach Steve Kerr, and Thursday’s comments made clear that those memories still shape his competitive drive. Brooks also stressed respect for Curry, calling him one of the best to ever do it and saying the Golden State guard has proven his greatness time and time again.
The backdrop matters because Phoenix has already seen how dangerous Golden State can be when Curry catches fire. The Warriors’ comeback against the Clippers was another reminder of how quickly the game can swing when Curry is on the floor.
Earlier history between Brooks and Golden State has been heated, including a December play in which Brooks fouled Curry hard on a corner three-point attempt and was assessed a flagrant foul. Kerr later pointed to Brooks’ track record of aggressive plays, including a hard foul on Gary Payton Jr. in the 2022 playoffs that led to a fractured elbow.
How Both Teams Reached This Point
The paths into Friday’s matchup were very different. Golden State got Curry back late in the regular season and used him to survive against the Clippers. Phoenix has dealt with injuries and let a fourth-quarter lead slip away against Portland, sending the Suns into a second Play-In game.
The teams know each other well as divisional opponents. Phoenix played Golden State four times in the regular season and won once, a 99-98 game on Dec. 18.
Suns guard Collin Gillespie said Golden State changes coverages often and tries to “junk up the game, ” including zone looks and frequent traps. He added that other Suns players will need to make plays, especially with Devin Booker under pressure after a poor outing in Tuesday’s Play-In game. Jordan Ott put the larger challenge in plain terms: “It’s all hands on deck. ”
What Comes Next for warriors vs suns
The next step is immediate: one game, no margin, and no second chance. Friday night in downtown Phoenix will decide whether the Suns keep their season alive or the Warriors move on with the eighth seed in hand. For warriors vs suns, the question is no longer who wants the matchup more. It is who can survive it.
