PHOENIX (AP) — Stephen Curry scored 25 points, Brandin Podziemski added 22 and the Golden State Warriors coasted past the Phoenix Suns 133-95 on Tuesday night to keep pace in a crowded Western Conference playoff race.
The Warriors are trying to secure one of the top six seeds in the West, which would keep them out of the play-in tournament. Golden State is currently tied with the Denver Nuggets, Memphis Grizzlies and Los Angeles Clippers at 47-32 for the fourth through seventh spots.
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Golden State Warriors forward Jimmy Butler III (10) shoots over Phoenix Suns guard Bradley Beal (3) during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Phoenix, Tuesday, April 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Darryl Webb)
Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) works to get around Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry, right, during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Phoenix, Tuesday, April 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Darryl Webb)
Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) shoots a 3-pointer against Phoenix Suns guard Bradley Beal (3) during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Phoenix, Tuesday, April 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Darryl Webb)
Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) is guarded by Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry, right, during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Phoenix, Tuesday, April 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Darryl Webb)
Phoenix Suns guard Grayson Allen (8) attempts to shoot around Golden State Warriors forward Trayce Jackson-Davis (32) during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Phoenix, Tuesday, April 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Darryl Webb)
Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) jokes with Phoenix Suns guard Bradley Beal after making a 3-pointer against him during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Phoenix, Tuesday, April 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Darryl Webb)
Golden State jumped to a 69-43 lead by halftime. Curry had 19 points before the break, while Podziemski added 17.
The Warriors led by as many as 41 points in the second half.
The Suns — who have lost seven straight — are on the brink of elimination from the postseason race. The only way Phoenix can sneak into the Western Conference play-in tournament is by winning its final three games of the regular season while the Dallas Mavericks lose their last three.
Devin Booker led the Suns with 21 points while Grayson Allen and Ryan Dunn added 12. The 38-point margin of defeat was the team's worst of the season.
Warriors: Golden State took care of an inferior opponent on the road and has two more very winnable games in the coming days against the Spurs and Trail Blazers. The season finale against the Clippers could be very important for playoff positioning.
Suns: Phoenix looks like a team ready for the offseason. Booker played well in the first half, but that's about the end of the positives.
Moses Moody hit a 3-pointer with 8:54 left in the first quarter to give the Warriors a 10-8 lead. They would never trail again.
The Suns shot just 35 of 88 (39.8%) from the field, including 12 of 43 (27.9%) on threes.
The Warriors host the Spurs on Wednesday. The Suns host the Thunder on Wednesday.
AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba
Golden State Warriors forward Jimmy Butler III (10) shoots over Phoenix Suns guard Bradley Beal (3) during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Phoenix, Tuesday, April 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Darryl Webb)
Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) works to get around Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry, right, during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Phoenix, Tuesday, April 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Darryl Webb)
Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) shoots a 3-pointer against Phoenix Suns guard Bradley Beal (3) during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Phoenix, Tuesday, April 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Darryl Webb)
Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) is guarded by Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry, right, during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Phoenix, Tuesday, April 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Darryl Webb)
Phoenix Suns guard Grayson Allen (8) attempts to shoot around Golden State Warriors forward Trayce Jackson-Davis (32) during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Phoenix, Tuesday, April 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Darryl Webb)
Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) jokes with Phoenix Suns guard Bradley Beal after making a 3-pointer against him during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Phoenix, Tuesday, April 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Darryl Webb)
Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills joined the Chicago Bears and Los Angeles Rams in advancing to the divisional round of the NFL playoffs.
Allen led the Bills to a 27-24 comeback victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars in the first of three wild-card playoff games on Sunday.
The San Francisco 49ers (12-5) took on the Philadelphia Eagles (11-6) in the middle game and the New England Patriots (14-3) will host the Los Angeles Chargers (11-6) in the nightcap.
Allen scored on a 1-yard run late in the fourth quarter and Cole Bishop intercepted Trevor Lawrence's pass to secure Buffalo's first playoff win on the road since the 1992 AFC championship game at Miami.
The No. 6 seed Bills will wait to find out their next opponent. It's the sixth straight season under coach Sean McDermott that Buffalo has reached the second round of the playoffs.
On Saturday, the NFL playoffs kicked off with two wacky games.
The Bears (12-6) trailed the Green Bay Packers 21-3 at halftime and 27-16 with just under seven minutes left in the fourth quarter before Caleb Williams threw a pair of touchdown passes. His 25-yard TD toss to D.J. Moore put Chicago ahead 31-27 with 1:43 remaining. Then Jordan Love's desperation heave into the end zone from the Bears 28 was knocked down as time expired to secure Chicago's first playoff win since the 2010 season.
Williams finished with 361 yards passing, two TDs and two interceptions for the No. 2 seed Bears, who will host the Rams (13-5) or Eagles next weekend.
In the opener on wild-card weekend, Matthew Stafford threw a 19-yard touchdown pass to Colby Parkinson in the final minute and the Rams rallied to beat the Carolina Panthers 34-31 in a game that was much closer than expected.
The Rams were double-digit favorites on BetMGM Sportsbook against the Panthers (8-10). The Rams jumped to a 14-0 lead, but couldn’t take advantage of first-half turnovers and allowed Carolina to get within 17-14 at halftime.
Stafford, who earned All-Pro honors for the first time in his 17-year career on Saturday, threw for 304 yards, three TDs and had one pick. Puka Nacua, who was a unanimous All-Pro selection, had 10 catches for 111 yards and one TD and also had a 5-yard TD run.
The Rams are back in the divisional round for the second straight season. Last year, they were 13 yards away from eliminating Philadelphia before a sack and an incomplete pass ended their season with a 28-22 loss.
No. 5 seed Los Angeles will face No. 1 seed Seattle if the Eagles lose to the 49ers.
Bryce Young’s 7-yard TD pass to Jalen Coker put the Panthers ahead 31-27 with 2:43 remaining but Stafford drove the Rams 71 yards in two minutes. Parkinson made an outstanding, tightrope catch for the winning score and the defense held.
Behind coach Dave Canales and improved QB Bryce Young, the Panthers have reason to be optimistic about the future after winning a weak NFC South and nearly pulling off a major upset.
The Packers (9-8-1) finished the season with five straight losses. They were 9-3-1 before All-Pro edge rusher Micah Parsons tore his ACL in a loss to Denver on Dec. 14.
On Monday night, Mike Tomlin, Aaron Rodgers and the Pittsburgh Steelers (10-7) host DeMeco Ryans, C.J. Stroud and the Houston Texans (12-5).
The Denver Broncos (14-3) are the AFC’s No. 1 seed and the Seahawks (14-3) got the top seed in the NFC. Each team earned a bye and will host the lowest remaining seed next weekend.
AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl
Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) celebrates his touchdown with tight end Dawson Knox (88) during the second half of an NFL wild-card playoff football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)
Chicago Bears' Caleb Williams looks to throw during the second half of an NFL wild-card playoff football game against the Green Bay Packers Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Nam Huh)
Chicago Bears' Caleb Williams celebrates after an NFL wild-card playoff football game against the Green Bay Packers Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)
Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua (12) reacts after a first down during the second half of an NFL wild-card playoff football game against the Carolina Panthers, Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Erik Verduzco)
Los Angeles Rams tight end Colby Parkinson, center left, celebrates his touchdown catch with wide receiver Puka Nacua (12) during the second half of an NFL wild-card playoff football game against the Carolina Panthers, Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Erik Verduzco)
Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) throws a pass during the second half of an NFL wild-card playoff football game against the Carolina Panthers, Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Rusty Jones)
