As the Western Conference playoff race tightens, the Golden State Warriors hit the road to face the slumping Phoenix Suns on Tuesday in a high-stakes matchup. The Warriors (46-32) are locked in a four-way tie with the Clippers, Timberwolves, and Grizzlies for the fifth seed, while sitting just behind the Nuggets and Lakers.
Golden State had been riding a five-game win streak before falling 106-96 to the Houston Rockets on Sunday, a rare off night for Stephen Curry who managed just three points on 1-for-8 shooting from beyond the arc. Head coach Steve Kerr acknowledged Curry’s struggles but emphasized the importance of bouncing back with only four regular season games left.
“If we win our last four, we stay out of the play-in. That’s the only thing in our control,” Kerr said. The Warriors’ final stretch includes games against the Spurs, Trail Blazers, and Clippers after Tuesday’s clash in Phoenix.
Despite the setback, Curry still leads the team with 24.4 points per game, followed by Jimmy Butler (17.1 ppg since joining) and Jonathan Kuminga (15.6 ppg).
The Suns, meanwhile, are reeling. With six straight losses and a 35-43 record, they sit 2.5 games out of the final play-in spot. Their recent struggles are compounded by the absence of Kevin Durant, sidelined with an ankle sprain since March 30.
Even with Durant out, Devin Booker has been doing all he can to carry the load, dropping 40 points in Sunday’s 112-98 loss to the Knicks and averaging nearly 39 points per game during the recent road trip.
“We’ll give it everything we’ve got, no matter what the situation is,” Booker said.
Phoenix coach Mike Budenholzer remains focused on salvaging the season: “We’re down to four games. We need to put everything into beating Golden State and take it one game at a time.”
Durant will not suit up against his former team as the Suns aim to end their skid and keep slim playoff hopes alive.
