Kristaps Porziņģis was active and starting for the Warriors against the Suns on Friday night in the play-in game, despite being listed earlier in the day as questionable because of an ankle injury.
Porziņģis joined Stephen Curry, Brandin Podziemski, Gui Santos and Draymond Green in the same starting five the Warriors used in their 126-121 play-in win over the Clippers on Wednesday. The Suns countered with Jalen Green, Devin Booker, Jordan Goodwin, Dillon Brooks and Oso Ighodaro, with starting center Mark Williams ruled out.
The matchup put the Warriors' size advantage in the spotlight again, while also leaving open a path for Phoenix to test a Golden State perimeter defense that has been vulnerable. Oso Ighodaro was making his 25th start of the year, another sign of how much the Suns have had to adjust around absences and lineup changes.
Golden State's decision to stay with the same group came after it committed 20 turnovers against the Clippers, yet the alignment held up well enough to keep the Warriors moving through the play-in path. The question now is whether that same five can carry them through a second straight high-pressure night if Porziņģis' ankle becomes a factor again.
