Who was Suns’ X-factor in shutting down Stephen Curry in emphatic Play-In victory?

PHOENIX– It typically takes an entire team to shut down Stephen Curry. But it took one person on the Phoenix Suns to do the job: Jordan Goodwin.

Although the Golden State Warriors’ point guard still had 17 points, he shot 25% from the field on 16 attempts while only connecting on three of his ten triples.

Throughout the season, Goodwin’s perspective has kept him grounded. He was the main energy guy and defensive disruptor off the bench before being rewarded with a starting spot in the final few weeks of the season.

Being assigned to guard Curry is something that takes as much physical as mental preparation. He even joked about drinking plenty of water in the days leading up to Friday’s game.

Nonetheless, he knew there would be tough shots made, but he had a specific mindset.

“We know he’s gonna make shots,” Goodwin explained postgame. “One shot he hit on me, I think it was the 3rd quarter, my hand was right there, and it just went in. I said ‘It’s Steph. You know I’m there. Can’t do nothing about it.’ Just moving on to the next play.”

I asked Jordan Goodwin the challenges of guarding Steph Curry and not letting that magnitude get to him when defending.

“We know he’s gonna make shots. One shot he hit on me, I think it was the 3rd quarter, my hand was right there and it just went in. I said ‘It’s Steph. You… pic.twitter.com/YSrPQMP2fM

— Hayden Cilley (@HaydenCilley) April 18, 2026

Jordan Goodwin seized the moment

It wasn’t only his defense on Curry that garnered attention. Goodwin had three steals to open the first quarter and that was the tell-tale sign of things to come.

Slipping through screens, diving for loose balls, gaining extra possessions on the offensive glass are all things he’s excelled at throughout the season.

Being on a national stage against a perennial dynasty is something that can force people to overthink. He simply went out and played his brand of basketball.

That would’ve been his same mantra, regardless of a Play-In game or a random game in the regular season. Besides Dillon Brooks, Goodwin has exemplified the Suns’ culture to the absolute fullest.

He’ll likely be in line for another start on Sunday. Phoenix will take on the No. 1 seed Oklahoma City Thunder on Sunday. Even with a short turnaround, the man out of St. Louis feels it’s better that way.

“We in a rhythm, we just played,” Goodwin said. “That’s how I’m looking at it. Our adrenaline is still gonna be rolling. They’ve (Oklahoma City) been sitting out a week. I know when that ball gets tipped off, we’ve been in battles for the last week.

“We’re expecting a war.”

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