Suns end Warriors’ playoff bid

PHOENIX -- One season after a stunning first-round playoff upset of the league-leading Dallas Mavericks, the Golden State Warriors were eliminated from postseason contention Monday when the Phoenix Suns recovered from blowing a 17-point lead to win, 122-116.

The Warriors’ loss clinched the final playoff spot in the West for Denver.

Amare Stoudemire scored 11 of his 28 points in the fourth quarter. Steve Nash had 13 points, 14 assists and nine rebounds as the Suns remained in the midst of a scramble for playoff positioning and a possible home-court advantage.

Stephen Jackson scored 16 of his 23 points in the Warriors’ third-quarter comeback. Golden State played nearly the entire second half without Baron Davis, who was benched by Coach Don Nelson after going two for 13 in about 17 minutes.

“I gave Baron a much-needed rest the second half,” was all Nelson would say.

Davis left without talking to reporters.

Phoenix, Houston and Utah are tied for the fourth-best record in the West at 54-27. If the trio ended the season in a tie, Utah would finish fourth, Houston fifth and Phoenix sixth. The Jazz and Suns could also finish as high as third.

The Suns led by 17 in the second quarter and were up, 73-57, in the first minute of the third. But the Warriors rallied behind Jackson and led, 107-96, with 6:59 left.

Phoenix used an 11-0 run to tie the score.

The Suns’ Grant Hill aggravated a sore groin in the second quarter and did not return.