NBA: Steph Curry fails to fire as Warriors lose to Sun; Magic routs Hornets Phoenix Suns ended Golden State Warriors’ season and Orlando Magic thrashed Charlotte Hornets as the NBA playoffs’ final teams were decided Friday.
Jalen Green put in a dazzling performance with 36 points, including eight triples, to secure the Western Conference No. 8 seed for Phoenix with a 111-96 win over Stephen Curry’s Warriors.
The Suns got off to a bright start with a 33-15 lead in the first quarter, before the Warriors cut the deficit to five points at half-time.
But the Suns still managed to keep the wasteful Warriors at arms’ length, successfully limiting veteran superstar Curry to just 17 points.
With barely a minute left, Jordan Goodwin intercepted a pass intended for Curry, and scored a transition bucket, before adding a three on the Suns’ next possession to secure the win.
Victory set up a first-round playoff clash for the Suns against Oklahoma City Thunder, the defending NBA champion.
“Happy as hell. We came out fire, we knew this was a do-or-die game,” said Green, who added six rebounds and four assists.
For the injury-plagued and ageing Warriors, who won the NBA title in 2022, it was a disappointing end to a third consecutive season in the play-in tournament, crashing out before the playoffs as they did in 2024.
In fiery late scenes, two Warriors players — Draymond Green and Devin Booker — were ejected from the court, with Green continuing to taunt the home Suns’ fans as he departed.
Magic outmuscle Hornets
The Magic beat the Hornets 121-90 to keep their season alive and set up a daunting first-round playoff series against the Eastern Conference top-seeded Detroit Pistons.
Paolo Banchero top-scored with 25 points in the Magic’s last chance to qualify for the post-season via the play-in tournament, having failed at their first attempt against the Philadelphia 76ers on Wednesday.
A physical, tough Magic outfit outmuscled the youthful Hornets from the tip-off of the win-or-go-home game in front of a sell-out 19,000 home crowd at the Magic’s Kia Canter.
Banchero bulldozed Hornets’ defence, scoring 12 in the first quarter alone.
Having never trailed by more than a single point, the Magic soon stretched comfortably clear, establishing a giant 35-point lead shortly before half-time.
Recovering from a sluggish start, LaMelo Bell — the hero of the Hornets’ first play-in game against Miami on Tuesday —exploded after the break.
He poured in 21 points in the third quarter alone as he tried to single-handedly extend the Hornets’ season.
But the Magic’s lead never dipped below 20 points, as they eased to a win against a the Hornets who had finished the regular season in strong form.
Victory ensured the Magic have reached the playoffs for the third straight season, while the Hornets’ decade-long wait goes on.
The NBA playoffs begin Saturday.
Published on Apr 18, 2026
#NBA #Steph #Curry #fails #fire #Warriors #lose #Sun #Magic #routs #Hornets
Phoenix Suns ended Golden State Warriors’ season and Orlando Magic thrashed Charlotte Hornets as the NBA playoffs’ final teams were decided Friday.
Jalen Green put in a dazzling performance with 36 points, including eight triples, to secure the Western Conference No. 8 seed for Phoenix with a 111-96 win over Stephen Curry’s Warriors.
The Suns got off to a bright start with a 33-15 lead in the first quarter, before the Warriors cut the deficit to five points at half-time.
But the Suns still managed to keep the wasteful Warriors at arms’ length, successfully limiting veteran superstar Curry to just 17 points.
With barely a minute left, Jordan Goodwin intercepted a pass intended for Curry, and scored a transition bucket, before adding a three on the Suns’ next possession to secure the win.
Victory set up a first-round playoff clash for the Suns against Oklahoma City Thunder, the defending NBA champion.
“Happy as hell. We came out fire, we knew this was a do-or-die game,” said Green, who added six rebounds and four assists.
For the injury-plagued and ageing Warriors, who won the NBA title in 2022, it was a disappointing end to a third consecutive season in the play-in tournament, crashing out before the playoffs as they did in 2024.
In fiery late scenes, two Warriors players — Draymond Green and Devin Booker — were ejected from the court, with Green continuing to taunt the home Suns’ fans as he departed.
Magic outmuscle Hornets
The Magic beat the Hornets 121-90 to keep their season alive and set up a daunting first-round playoff series against the Eastern Conference top-seeded Detroit Pistons.
Paolo Banchero top-scored with 25 points in the Magic’s last chance to qualify for the post-season via the play-in tournament, having failed at their first attempt against the Philadelphia 76ers on Wednesday.
A physical, tough Magic outfit outmuscled the youthful Hornets from the tip-off of the win-or-go-home game in front of a sell-out 19,000 home crowd at the Magic’s Kia Canter.
Banchero bulldozed Hornets’ defence, scoring 12 in the first quarter alone.
Having never trailed by more than a single point, the Magic soon stretched comfortably clear, establishing a giant 35-point lead shortly before half-time.
Recovering from a sluggish start, LaMelo Bell — the hero of the Hornets’ first play-in game against Miami on Tuesday —exploded after the break.
He poured in 21 points in the third quarter alone as he tried to single-handedly extend the Hornets’ season.
But the Magic’s lead never dipped below 20 points, as they eased to a win against a the Hornets who had finished the regular season in strong form.
Victory ensured the Magic have reached the playoffs for the third straight season, while the Hornets’ decade-long wait goes on.
The NBA playoffs begin Saturday.
Published on Apr 18, 2026
![Deadspin | President Trump booed while attending Game 3 of NBA Finals in New York [US, Mexico & Canada customers only] Jun 8, 2026; New York, New York, USA; U.S. President Donald Trump attends during game three of the 2026 NBA Finals at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Howard-Reuters via Imagn Images President Donald Trump, the first sitting U.S. president to attend the NBA Finals, was booed by fellow New York Knicks fans at Madison Square Garden on Monday before Game 3 against the San Antonio Spurs. Shown on the jumbotron saluting the American flag during the national anthem, Trump received a chorus of boos but downplayed the reception after the game — a 115-111 Spurs win that cut the Knicks’ series lead to 2-1. “It was certainly amazing. It was, I think, mostly cheers,” he told reporters ahead of boarding Air Force One bound for Washington after staying until the game ended. “It was loud, and it was very enthusiastic.” The Athletic reported that Trump, 79, a native New Yorker, drew louder boos than the Spurs. Invited to attend Game 3 by Knicks owner James Dolan, Trump sat in a suite near midcourt, halfway up the seating area, in a box constructed for his visit with bulletproof glass. The glass was one of several security measures taken with Trump in attendance. NBA commissioner Adam Silver said Trump was welcome to the first NBA Finals game in New York since 1999, when the Knicks lost to the Spurs, adding that the President is a “genuine Knicks fan.” “What makes sports so special, especially when there’s so much that divides people, is that it’s something we have in common,” Silver told ESPN’s “Inside the NBA” before Game 3. “We should look for those things we have in common and build off that.” According to ESPN, fans made rude gestures toward Trump upon his motorcade’s arrival at MSG, along with others holding signs that read “Trump must go.” Multiple checkpoints were set up for fans, the media and stadium workers to show their ticket or pass to gain entry. Police and Secret Service personnel covered every corner outside the arena. “Yes, there’s some inconvenience to the fans, but looking around at the arena, it’s packed,” Silver said. “People listened, they came early, they got through the extra security, which is necessary.” Both coaches downplayed any talk that President Trump’s presence was a distraction to the teams ahead of Game 3. “My focus is just what’s next and what’s in front of me, and Game 3 is front of us right now,” Knicks coach Mike Brown said. “I feel our group is that way, too.” New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani also attended Game 3. He told the media he purchased his own standing-room-only ticket, spending nearly $1,000. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #President #Trump #booed #attending #Game #NBA #Finals #York](https://images.deadspin.com/tr:w-1200,fo-auto/29154804.jpg "Deadspin | President Trump booed while attending Game 3 of NBA Finals in New York [US, Mexico & Canada customers only] Jun 8, 2026; New York, New York, USA; U.S. President Donald Trump attends during game three of the 2026 NBA Finals at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Howard-Reuters via Imagn Images President Donald Trump, the first sitting U.S. president to attend the NBA Finals, was booed by fellow New York Knicks fans at Madison Square Garden on Monday before Game 3 against the San Antonio Spurs. Shown on the jumbotron saluting the American flag during the national anthem, Trump received a chorus of boos but downplayed the reception after the game — a 115-111 Spurs win that cut the Knicks’ series lead to 2-1. “It was certainly amazing. It was, I think, mostly cheers,” he told reporters ahead of boarding Air Force One bound for Washington after staying until the game ended. “It was loud, and it was very enthusiastic.” The Athletic reported that Trump, 79, a native New Yorker, drew louder boos than the Spurs. Invited to attend Game 3 by Knicks owner James Dolan, Trump sat in a suite near midcourt, halfway up the seating area, in a box constructed for his visit with bulletproof glass. The glass was one of several security measures taken with Trump in attendance. NBA commissioner Adam Silver said Trump was welcome to the first NBA Finals game in New York since 1999, when the Knicks lost to the Spurs, adding that the President is a “genuine Knicks fan.” “What makes sports so special, especially when there’s so much that divides people, is that it’s something we have in common,” Silver told ESPN’s “Inside the NBA” before Game 3. “We should look for those things we have in common and build off that.” According to ESPN, fans made rude gestures toward Trump upon his motorcade’s arrival at MSG, along with others holding signs that read “Trump must go.” Multiple checkpoints were set up for fans, the media and stadium workers to show their ticket or pass to gain entry. Police and Secret Service personnel covered every corner outside the arena. “Yes, there’s some inconvenience to the fans, but looking around at the arena, it’s packed,” Silver said. “People listened, they came early, they got through the extra security, which is necessary.” Both coaches downplayed any talk that President Trump’s presence was a distraction to the teams ahead of Game 3. “My focus is just what’s next and what’s in front of me, and Game 3 is front of us right now,” Knicks coach Mike Brown said. “I feel our group is that way, too.” New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani also attended Game 3. He told the media he purchased his own standing-room-only ticket, spending nearly $1,000. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #President #Trump #booed #attending #Game #NBA #Finals #York")
![Deadspin | President Trump booed while attending Game 3 of NBA Finals in New York [US, Mexico & Canada customers only] Jun 8, 2026; New York, New York, USA; U.S. President Donald Trump attends during game three of the 2026 NBA Finals at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Howard-Reuters via Imagn Images President Donald Trump, the first sitting U.S. president to attend the NBA Finals, was booed by fellow New York Knicks fans at Madison Square Garden on Monday before Game 3 against the San Antonio Spurs. Shown on the jumbotron saluting the American flag during the national anthem, Trump received a chorus of boos but downplayed the reception after the game — a 115-111 Spurs win that cut the Knicks’ series lead to 2-1. “It was certainly amazing. It was, I think, mostly cheers,” he told reporters ahead of boarding Air Force One bound for Washington after staying until the game ended. “It was loud, and it was very enthusiastic.” The Athletic reported that Trump, 79, a native New Yorker, drew louder boos than the Spurs. Invited to attend Game 3 by Knicks owner James Dolan, Trump sat in a suite near midcourt, halfway up the seating area, in a box constructed for his visit with bulletproof glass. The glass was one of several security measures taken with Trump in attendance. NBA commissioner Adam Silver said Trump was welcome to the first NBA Finals game in New York since 1999, when the Knicks lost to the Spurs, adding that the President is a “genuine Knicks fan.” “What makes sports so special, especially when there’s so much that divides people, is that it’s something we have in common,” Silver told ESPN’s “Inside the NBA” before Game 3. “We should look for those things we have in common and build off that.” According to ESPN, fans made rude gestures toward Trump upon his motorcade’s arrival at MSG, along with others holding signs that read “Trump must go.” Multiple checkpoints were set up for fans, the media and stadium workers to show their ticket or pass to gain entry. Police and Secret Service personnel covered every corner outside the arena. “Yes, there’s some inconvenience to the fans, but looking around at the arena, it’s packed,” Silver said. “People listened, they came early, they got through the extra security, which is necessary.” Both coaches downplayed any talk that President Trump’s presence was a distraction to the teams ahead of Game 3. “My focus is just what’s next and what’s in front of me, and Game 3 is front of us right now,” Knicks coach Mike Brown said. “I feel our group is that way, too.” New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani also attended Game 3. He told the media he purchased his own standing-room-only ticket, spending nearly $1,000. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #President #Trump #booed #attending #Game #NBA #Finals #York](https://i0.wp.com/images.deadspin.com/tr:w-1200,fo-auto/29154804.jpg?ssl=1 "Deadspin | President Trump booed while attending Game 3 of NBA Finals in New York [US, Mexico & Canada customers only] Jun 8, 2026; New York, New York, USA; U.S. President Donald Trump attends during game three of the 2026 NBA Finals at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Howard-Reuters via Imagn Images President Donald Trump, the first sitting U.S. president to attend the NBA Finals, was booed by fellow New York Knicks fans at Madison Square Garden on Monday before Game 3 against the San Antonio Spurs. Shown on the jumbotron saluting the American flag during the national anthem, Trump received a chorus of boos but downplayed the reception after the game — a 115-111 Spurs win that cut the Knicks’ series lead to 2-1. “It was certainly amazing. It was, I think, mostly cheers,” he told reporters ahead of boarding Air Force One bound for Washington after staying until the game ended. “It was loud, and it was very enthusiastic.” The Athletic reported that Trump, 79, a native New Yorker, drew louder boos than the Spurs. Invited to attend Game 3 by Knicks owner James Dolan, Trump sat in a suite near midcourt, halfway up the seating area, in a box constructed for his visit with bulletproof glass. The glass was one of several security measures taken with Trump in attendance. NBA commissioner Adam Silver said Trump was welcome to the first NBA Finals game in New York since 1999, when the Knicks lost to the Spurs, adding that the President is a “genuine Knicks fan.” “What makes sports so special, especially when there’s so much that divides people, is that it’s something we have in common,” Silver told ESPN’s “Inside the NBA” before Game 3. “We should look for those things we have in common and build off that.” According to ESPN, fans made rude gestures toward Trump upon his motorcade’s arrival at MSG, along with others holding signs that read “Trump must go.” Multiple checkpoints were set up for fans, the media and stadium workers to show their ticket or pass to gain entry. Police and Secret Service personnel covered every corner outside the arena. “Yes, there’s some inconvenience to the fans, but looking around at the arena, it’s packed,” Silver said. “People listened, they came early, they got through the extra security, which is necessary.” Both coaches downplayed any talk that President Trump’s presence was a distraction to the teams ahead of Game 3. “My focus is just what’s next and what’s in front of me, and Game 3 is front of us right now,” Knicks coach Mike Brown said. “I feel our group is that way, too.” New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani also attended Game 3. He told the media he purchased his own standing-room-only ticket, spending nearly $1,000. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #President #Trump #booed #attending #Game #NBA #Finals #York")
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