Well, it all comes down to this. Despite the Phoenix Suns exceeding expectations for much of the seasons, at some point the goalposts shifted and now failure to make the playoffs would be a disaster.
Suns have the better roster than Golden State Warriors
But there is one clear reason why Phoenix should be quietly confident heading into a one-off game against the Warriors for all of the marbles, and it is not just the fact they will be at home.
That didn't help as the game versus the Portland Trail Blazers slipped away, and if anything the groans from The Valley appeared to make the team tighten up in critical moments.
It has also never been wise to bet against Stephen Curry in one game, such is his extraordinary talent and the fact his minutes restricted went out the window in their own win over the L.A. Clippers.
Still got it done 🤷 pic.twitter.com/iipn2u9tvB
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) April 16, 2026
But looking at it logically, and the Suns simply have the better team top to bottom that the Warriors. You can even make the case Devin Booker is the best player in this contest.
His fourth-quarter output has rightly come under fire in recent weeks, and we're fine with you saying that Curry will be the top dog on the court in this one.
But the Warriors also won't have an answer for the combination of Jalen Green and Dillon Brooks, although Mark Williams should be having sleepless nights ahead of this one.
Kristaps Porzingis and Al Horford both possessing the kind of range to take Williams away from the basket and likely force head coach Jordan Ott to again sit him at the most crucial moment of the season.
You just know Brooks is going to relish going against Draymond Green, while Brandin Podziemski was their fourth highest scorer (13.8 a night) during the regular season.
This is important because the two players seperating him from Curry and his 26.6 points were Jimmy Butler (who won't be playing) and Porzingis (limited to 15 regular season appearances).
The offensive drop-off from Curry to everybody else outside of Porzingis if he is feeling it is stark, whereas the combination of Booker/Green/Brooks is capable of going off for 70.
Collin Gillespie may have faded badly as the regular season came to a close, but he is still more than capable of having a say in this one.
Then there is Oso Ighodaro, who coach Ott clearly trusts and who has an opportunity to be a difficult matchup for Golden State given his size, strength and mobility.
Offensively he does not possess a go-to move, but there's a lot to be said for barreling your way to the basket.
Yes we're taking an optimistic view here, and it could yet get a whole lost worse for the Suns. But there is nothing to fear here, except for a potential series versus the Oklahoma City Thunder.
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