The Golden State Warriors will keep the same starting five for their play-in matchup against the Phoenix Suns, with Kristaps Porzingis cleared to play after being listed questionable because of an ankle issue earlier in the day. The lineup also includes Stephen Curry, Brandin Podziemski, Gui Santos and Draymond Green, matching the group that helped Golden State beat the Clippers 126-121 in its previous play-in game.
Phoenix will open with Jalen Green, Devin Booker, Jordan Goodwin, Dillon Brooks and Oso Ighodaro. Mark Williams was ruled out, which pushes Ighodaro into his 25th start of the season and gives the Suns a different look in the frontcourt.
Warriors Stick With a Familiar Group
Golden State is leaning on continuity at a critical point in the postseason race. The Warriors responded well with this same lineup against Los Angeles, and the staff will now see whether that combination can deliver again against a Suns team with more shot creation on the perimeter.
Porzingis’ availability matters because it gives the Warriors more size inside and another scoring option. That advantage could help on the glass and around the rim, but it also asks the team to cover more ground on defense against a faster and more guard-driven Phoenix attack.
Phoenix Has Perimeter Talent to Stress Golden State
The Suns bring three scorers who can shape the game quickly if they find rhythm. Jalen Green, Booker and Brooks all have the ability to put up big numbers, and Golden State may need to use multiple defenders to keep them from dictating the pace.
Draymond Green can take on Brooks in key stretches if the matchup demands more physical defense. Booker, however, projects as the toughest assignment, and Golden State may have to rotate De’Anthony Melton and Gary Payton II onto him to change looks and limit clean drives or catch-and-shoot chances.
What the Warriors Need to Repeat
Golden State’s last play-in win came with strong shooting and balanced scoring, even with turnover issues. The Warriors committed 20 turnovers against the Clippers, but they still shot 57 percent from the field and 46 percent from three, which showed how dangerous the offense can be when the ball moves cleanly.
Curry led the way with 35 points, while Porzingis and Santos each added 20, Podziemski scored 17 and Al Horford finished with 14. Draymond Green also delivered one of his best playmaking nights in recent weeks with nine assists, and that kind of distribution could again be important if Phoenix loads up on Curry early.
Projected Starting Lineups
- Warriors: Stephen Curry, Brandin Podziemski, Gui Santos, Draymond Green, Kristaps Porzingis
- Suns: Jalen Green, Devin Booker, Jordan Goodwin, Dillon Brooks, Oso Ighodaro
The matchup now turns on whether Golden State can keep its rhythm from the Clippers game while surviving Phoenix’s perimeter pressure and scoring bursts from Booker, Green and Brooks. If the Warriors control the tempo and get another efficient night from Curry, the same lineup may once again give them a strong path forward.
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