For the past month, the Golden State Warriors accepted their destiny. Before officially qualifying for the play-in tournament, they understood their path would require winning two consecutive games to secure an improbable playoff berth.
They’ve been treating this as a two-game championship.
In their view, they’re only halfway to completing their objective.
The Warriors, Charlotte, Orlando, and Phoenix face elimination games Friday night as the play-in tournament concludes, determining which two franchises will claim the remaining playoff positions.
Charlotte travels to face Orlando, while Golden State heads to Phoenix. The victors will earn Game 1 matchups Friday evening — against Detroit in the Eastern Conference and Oklahoma City in the Western Conference.
“This is literally it,” Magic coach Jamahl Mosley said. “This is it.”
Golden State orchestrated a dramatic 41-23 surge during the final 9:49 minutes to complete a stunning road victory against the Los Angeles Clippers, erasing a 13-point disadvantage for a 126-121 triumph that extended their season. The Warriors connected on six more three-point shots than the Clippers during that crucial period, with those 18 additional points accounting for precisely their margin of victory in the closing stretch.
“That was fun,” Warriors guard Stephen Curry said. “That’s what you live for, right there.”
Charlotte advanced to Friday’s action with a triumph over Miami, though LaMelo Ball’s uncalled flagrant foul against Bam Adebayo dominated postgame discussions. The Magic fell in Philadelphia, handing the 76ers the seventh seed in the East and a first-round series against Boston. Phoenix suffered a home defeat to Portland, giving the Trail Blazers the seventh seed in the West and a playoff date with San Antonio.
Everything is now on the line. Miami and the Clippers have already been eliminated, and two additional franchises will begin their offseason Friday evening.
“We’ve got to be ready,” Magic forward Paolo Banchero said. “I’ve got to be ready.”
This marks Phoenix’s inaugural appearance in the play-in tournament format. The remaining three teams have all participated previously.
Golden State enters their fourth play-in appearance, Charlotte their third, and Orlando their second. Philadelphia and Portland, who have already advanced, were making their second play-in appearances.
Golden State holds a 2-3 play-in record. Orlando stands at 1-1, Charlotte at 1-2, and Phoenix at 0-1.
Regular season matchups: Charlotte won the series 3-1.
Vegas odds: Charlotte favored by 3.5 points.
What’s at stake: The victor advances to face top-seeded Detroit in the Eastern Conference quarterfinals beginning Sunday. The defeated team’s season ends.
Game preview: Multiple storylines converge here. LaMelo Ball delivered the game-winning shot in their previous contest, injured Bam Adebayo, and learned a day later from league officials that he should have been ejected. Orlando dropped their last three encounters against Charlotte by a total of 61 points and has struggled with consistency throughout the campaign. Charlotte captured both previous games in Orlando this season; no visiting team has achieved three or more victories against the Magic in a single season — excluding the bubble year — since Detroit in 2006-07. Charlotte’s Miles Bridges has appeared in more regular-season contests (501) than any other active player without playoff experience. Friday could end that streak.
Regular season matchups: Golden State won the series 3-1.
Vegas odds: Phoenix favored by 2.5 points.
What’s at stake: The winner advances to face top-seeded Oklahoma City in the Western Conference quarterfinals beginning Sunday. The losing team’s season concludes.
Game preview: Golden State captured their initial meeting by 11 points, with Phoenix trailing by 25 before possessing the ball with an opportunity to cut the deficit to single digits with three minutes remaining. The remaining contests were decided by margins of one, three, and four points. The Warriors approach this game with a fearless mentality, understandably so after an injury-riddled campaign that produced a 37-45 record and a month-long preparation for an expected play-in run. Phoenix exceeded most preseason projections by winning 45 games but must now defeat Stephen Curry, arguably basketball’s greatest shooter, to avoid becoming the first franchise to lose twice at home during a play-in tournament.
