Dillon Brooks hoped Suns would face Curry, Warriors for playoff spot

Dillon Brooks got his wish.

The Phoenix Suns were either going to play the Golden State Warriors or Los Angeles Clippers on Friday, April 17, for the eighth seed in the Western Conference playoffs.

The Warriors rallied from 13 points down in the fourth quarter to shock the Clippers, 126-121, to set up a win-or-go-home Play-In Tournament game versus the Suns at Mortgage Matchup Center.

Nice.

“I think it matters to some people like myself,” Brooks said after Thursday’s practice at the team’s practice facility. “I would like to see the Warriors.”

Why Golden State?

“Steph and Draymond.," Brooks said "And Steve Kerr.”

That’s Stephen Curry, Draymond Green and the Warriors head coach.

“One of the best players to ever do it,” Brooks said about Curry. “It’s who you want to go against in an elimination game. He’s proven it over the years. They’ve been battle-tested in every way possible. Good matchup for us.”

The Warriors-Suns winner will open the playoffs at the defending NBA champion Oklahoma City Thunder on April 19 in the first round.

The loser? The season is over.

“The fans are going to be ready,” Brooks said. “They’ve been waiting a couple of years for games like this. I know we’re going to be ready to play.”

"I think it matters to some people like myself. I would like to see the Warriors."

Dillon Brooks on prepping for Warriors and Clippers as they played last night.

Golden State won, face Suns for 8th seed.

Why Warriors?

"Steph and Draymond. And Steve Kerr." #Suns#DubNationpic.twitter.com/anPSzKBapg— Duane Rankin (@DuaneRankin) April 16, 2026

The Suns are facing the only team in the play-in with a losing record, but playing the Warriors feels like a tall order right now.

Credit Curry for that concern.

The Warriors superstar looked all the way back after missing 27 games with right knee issues in scoring 35 points to lead Golden State past the Clippers in his fifth game back.

“Looked like the same Steph Curry,” Suns coach Jordan Ott said. “You guard him for however many minutes you think you’re guarding him and then all the sudden, the explosion happens. Everyone has tried the same game plan with him to try to take him off the 3-point line and he somehow does it night after night in the biggest moments.”

The Warriors shot 56.6% from the field against the Clippers, going 19-of-41 on 3s.

Jordan Ott on Stephen Curry's 35-point blast in Warriors win over Clippers. “Looked like the same Steph Curry. You guard him for however many minutes you think you’re guarding him and then all the sudden, the explosion happens."

On playing small: "It's always the balance, but I… pic.twitter.com/UuglL0hxuS— Duane Rankin (@DuaneRankin) April 16, 2026

Curry hit seven of those deep ones on 12 attempts.

“We’ve got to slow them down,” Suns forward Royce O’Neale said. “We know their style of play. Try to make things tough for them. Not give up cuts, open 3s. Then on the offensive end, execute our game plan. Defensively, just take the challenge.”

The Warriors are coming off a huge win to stay alive for the postseason, but they’re fully aware of the challenges Phoenix presents.

"It's going to be runs back and forth.” Curry said after the game. “(Clippers) started out 12-2. Felt like we were down 10 multiple times throughout the game, but we kept answering. Phoenix is a high-powered offense. Dillon (Brooks) and Devin (Booker) have been playing great all year long.”

The Suns went 1-3 against the Warriors this regular season, but Jalen Green didn’t play in any of those games. He’s coming off a 35-point performance in Tuesday’s loss to the Blazers.

"A couple of small details according to the game plan, I think we had a couple of mishaps that cost us down the line. Rebounding was a big emphasis down the line, especially when we went small. Little things that we can clean up."

Royce O'Neale on Suns loss to Blazers that's… pic.twitter.com/zuxSUHeZlj— Duane Rankin (@DuaneRankin) April 16, 2026

“They have guys that can create off the dribble,” Curry continued. “Watched the game against Portland. It's going to be a great atmosphere. We're excited about it. I didn't get to watch Orlando-Philly, but the play-in is delivering this year. It's been good basketball to watch so hopefully we can add to that and get another win.”

Kerr said the coaches have been preparing for the Blazers and Suns over the last week.

“Our game plan is all set,” he said after the win. “We just have to present it to the players (Thursday). Probably (Thursday) evening. We won’t have a practice, but we’ll go through the game plan. Then shootaround Friday to walk through some things. We’ll be ready. One game to get in and we’re excited about it. Phoenix has a hell of a team. They’ve had a great year. It’s going to be another great game.”

Have opinions about the current state of the Suns? Reach Suns Insider Duane Rankin at dmrankin@gannett.com or contact him at 480-810-5518. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter, at @DuaneRankin.

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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Dillon Brooks got his wish. Suns vs Warriors for West 8th seed