Jordan Goodwin big impact in Phoenix Suns vs. Golden State

Phoenix Suns guard Jordan Goodwin stole a Draymond Green pass, flew up the court and came in for a thundering dunk to put his team ahead, 107-91, with 1:44 left against the Golden State Warriors in the NBA Play-In Tournament on Friday, April 14.

Then, 20 seconds later, Goodwin hit another 3-pointer – his fourth of the game – to put the Suns ahead 110-94. 

That 3-pointer sent any remaining Golden State fans still left in Mortgage Matchup Center heading for the exits. It was the exclamation point on an incredible evening for Goodwin, who finished with 19 points, a team-leading nine rebounds and six steals in a 111-96 win over the Warriors.

Goodwin shot 7-for-11 from the field, including 4-for-7 from 3-point range. Goodwin started the game off with three steals in the first four minutes, then helped end it.

The NBA Play-In game victory kept the Suns’ season alive and sends them into the first round of the playoffs against No. 1-seed Oklahoma City starting Sunday, April 19.

Goodwin, who is typically reserved in front of the media, a stark contrast to his exuberant behavior with his teammates, opened up after the game.

“Tonight, I was just super locked in,” he said. “I didn’t like how that last game went, Portland, with Deni (Avdija) scoring on me on that last shot. I was kind of in a funk for the past two days, so I just wanted to stay locked in. It was a battle tonight.”

Goodwin said he and the team felt like they “let down” the city of Phoenix after the loss to the Portland Trail Blazers on April 14. The Suns were trying to avoid becoming the first No. 7 seed to miss the playoffs in the play-in era.

There was no letdown this time around.

Coach Jordan Ott made sure to single out Goodwin in the post-game locker room. The fourth-year, undrafted player out of Saint Louis is making the most of his second stint in Phoenix.

“Man. Unbelievable,” guard Devin Booker said, when asked about Goodwin.

“Coach made it a point to give him big ups after the game. You know, his career’s been up and down. People have quit on him, people have given up on him. It’s a true test to hard work. We’ve been teammates before and the work’s been consistent.”

For a player like Goodwin, on his fourth team in five years and with no contract guaranteed beyond this season, a game like Friday night could impact his future.

Just how important is it?

“Really big. Really big,” Booker said. “He should make some money this summer. He’s going to let all the other hoopers that don’t get drafted, or are in the same situation, give them hope.”

Goodwin originally was acquired from the Washington Wizards by Phoenix along with Bradley Beal in June 2023. He played 40 games for the Suns in the 2023-24 season before being traded to the Brooklyn Nets, where he was waived. The Memphis Grizzlies picked him up, signing him to a 10-day contract and then making him a two-way player.

He spent the 2024-25 season with the Los Angeles Lakers on an Exhibit-10 contract and then a two-way contract. After that season, Goodwin was placed on waivers on July 20 and claimed by the Suns on July 23.

Now, Goodwin is helping send the Suns to the playoffs. His defense on Warriors’ star Stephen Curry was key all evening Friday, as he hounded Curry on the perimeter. Curry finished 4-for-16 from the field, going 3-for-10 from 3-point range and scoring 17 points.

Ott has said repeatedly this season that Goodwin “brings the juice” and that was clear Friday.

“Massive, at both ends,” Ott said. “Can’t overstate his shot-making. But to hold a guy like that, and then four offensive rebounds, six steals. Where he started the season to now, speaks volumes about who he is and what he’s becoming as a basketball player. I’m super excited and happy he’s on our team.”

Goodwin is the first Suns guard with at least six steals and four offensive rebounds in a game since Jason Kidd in 2000.

As Ott exited the podium following his postgame press conference Friday night, he exclaimed, “Goodie!” dapping up Goodwin as the two passed each other.

Guard Jalen Green, who popped off for the second game in a row, this time with 36 points, ended his post-game press conference praising Goodwin.

“He’s a killer,” Green said. “He’s a game changer. He does a million things that every team needs. For him to be out there, guarding the best player, hitting threes, getting steals is big for us to be ourselves. Shoutout to Goods.”