The Western Conference Play-In Tournament delivers immediate stakes as the 7th-seeded Phoenix Suns face the 8th-seeded Portland Trail Blazers, with the winner securing a guaranteed playoff matchup against San Antonio in the first round.

Devin Booker and Jalen Green are BACK for the Suns

Phoenix enters with momentum and a major boost. Devin Booker is officially back. After missing nearly 80 days with a right ankle sprain suffered against Atlanta, Booker is set to return without any minutes restriction. His impact is undeniable. Prior to injury, he was in elite form, averaging 30.8 points over his last five games, providing the Suns with a reliable offensive engine and late-game shot creator.

However, uncertainty still lingers around Jalen Green. Now part of the Suns’ rotation, Green is listed as questionable after a difficult stretch of injuries. A hamstring strain sidelined him for 32 games, and recent knee soreness has already cost him three more. If unavailable, Phoenix loses an explosive scoring option and added perimeter pressure, something that could matter in a high-intensity, single-game scenario.

Portland, meanwhile, comes in with urgency and nothing to lose. As the 8th seed, they understand the opportunity in front of them: steal one game and lock in a playoff berth. Their approach will likely center on pace, shot-making, and exploiting any defensive lapses from a Suns team still reintegrating key pieces.

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