Gsw update: Grayson Allen available, Mark Williams out for Suns-Warriors play-in
gsw is the central storyline entering Friday night’s elimination game in Phoenix, where the Suns face the Warriors with the Western Conference’s No. 8 seed on the line. Grayson Allen is available, while Mark Williams has been ruled out after both players were listed questionable earlier in the week. The game is set for Friday, April 17, 2026, at 7 p. m. ET at Mortgage Matchup Center.
Latest injury shift changes the matchup
The most important personnel move came on Friday when Williams was downgraded to out after appearing on the injury report Thursday as questionable. He is dealing with left foot soreness after previously managing a stress reaction in the same foot earlier this season. The Suns now move into the play-in matchup without their starting center, a notable setback in a game where one loss ends the season.
Allen, meanwhile, is available after sitting out Tuesday’s loss to the Portland Trail Blazers because of a left hamstring strain. He had previously been listed with soreness, but his status changed ahead of the matchup. For Phoenix, that matters because Allen had averaged 3. 1 made 3-pointers on 8. 9 attempts across 51 regular-season games, and the team may need that volume after going 9 for 25 from deep against Portland.
What the Suns and Warriors are carrying into Friday
Williams played Tuesday and scored four points in 22 minutes while also adding four rebounds, three blocks and two assists. During the regular season, he set career highs in starts and appearances while averaging 11. 7 points, eight rebounds and 0. 9 blocks, and his absence leaves Phoenix with a major frontcourt hole in a win-or-go-home setting.
The Warriors reached this point as the No. 10 seed after defeating the Los Angeles Clippers for a chance to extend their season. Golden State also has its own injury questions, with Kristaps Porzingis listed questionable because of right ankle soreness. Backup center Quinten Post is out with right foot injury management, while Jimmy Butler and Moses Moody remain sidelined.
Immediate stakes for Phoenix in gsw
No other Suns players were listed on Friday’s injury report, giving Phoenix a cleaner health picture outside the Williams absence. If the Suns win, they earn the No. 8 seed and advance to face the Oklahoma City Thunder in the first round. If they lose, their season ends immediately.
The matchup is the fifth meeting between the two teams this season, and the Warriors won three of the first four. With gsw now defined by availability and elimination pressure, Friday’s game leaves little room for margin.
What happens next
The next step comes at tipoff Friday night, when the Suns and Warriors settle the No. 8 seed inside Mortgage Matchup Center. The updated injury picture makes the opening minutes even more important, and gsw remains the clearest shorthand for how much is at stake: survive and move on, or go home.
