Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant (35) takes the ball up the floor against the Golden State Warriors at Chase Center in San Francisco on Tue Oct 24, 2023 (AP News photo)

By Jerry Feitelberg

The Golden State Warriors hosted the Phoenix Suns at the Chase Center Tuesday night to open the 2023-2024 season. The Warriors lost their home opener by four points to the Suns 108-104. Both teams remade their roster over the off-season. The Suns acquired Bradley Beal from the Washington Wizards and Jusef Nurkic from the Portland Trailblazers.

Former Warrior Kevin Durant came over to the Suns late last year in a deal with the Brooklyn Nets. The Warriors traded away Jordan Poole in a trade for the veteran point guard Chris Paul. The Warriors added Dario Saric and Corey Joseph.

Each team was missing a key player. The Warriors Draymond Green did not play due to an ankle injury, and the Suns’ Bradley Beal was out due to an injury. 

Each team wanted to open the season with a win. Like the Warriors, the Suns were eliminated in the second round of the playoffs last season. The opener could be a preview of the teams meeting later in the playoffs. Round one went to the Suns as they could grind out a win.

The Suns grabbed an early advantage in the first period. The Suns led 24-12 when the Warriors went on a 16-3 run. The teams ended up tied 28-28 after the first 12 minutes. The Suns dominated the second period. They outscored the Warriors by 15 points to finish the first half leading 61-46. The Warriors continued their bad habit of committing too many fouls.

The Suns had 15 shots from the free-throw line and made 12. The Suns shot 49% from the floor, the Warriors 31%. It looked like it might be a long night for the Warriors.

Things changed in the third quarter. The Warriors outscored the Suns 40-19 to finish the quarter leading 86-80. In the quarter, the Suns sent the Warriors to the free-throw line. Phoenix continued to turn the ball over, and the Warriors put points on the board due to their miscues.

The Warriors handled the ball better for the first three periods. However, teams have to play 48 minutes of basketball. Teams have no trouble overcoming a six-point deficit with 12 minutes to play. Jonathan Kuninga opened the fourth quarter with a bucket to up the lead to 88-80.

The Suns answered with an 11-0 run to lead 91-88. Neither team would wilt. Phoenix led by four 103-99 until guard Stephen Curry connected on a three to make it a two-point deficit. Phoenix connected on a three, but Curry’s three made it 106-104.

30 seconds remained to play. Phoenix worked the clock and scored with ten seconds left. The Warriors needed a four-point play. They were hoping to get the ball to Curry for the final shot. The Suns did not let that happen. Phoenix wins the opener 108-104.

Game Notes: Steve Kerr was disappointed with the Warriors loss. There were some bright spots for Golden State. Chris Paul scored 14 points, had six rebounds, and nine assists. Kuminga scored 12 points and had six rebounds. The one negative was Kuminga’s five fouls. Curry had 27 points.

Curry made four threes in 14 tries. Curry also committed five fouls and had to sit longer on the bench. Dario Saric scored seven, had seven rebounds, and played well on defense. Klay Thompson made three threes in 11 tries. 

The Warriors, unfortunately for them, turned the ball over five times in the fourth quarter. The Warriors defense had 11 steals and blocked six shots. 

The Suns had five players in double-figures. Devin Booker led the Suns with 32 points. Kevin Durant had a double-double with 18 points and ten rebounds. Jusef Nurkic had 14 points and 14 boards. Eric Gordon had ten points. Gordon made a key three late in the fourth quarter. Josh Okogie was the third Sun player with a double-double. The Warriors had no answer for Okogie. Okogie knocked down 17 points and had 15 rebounds. 

The Warriors start a three-game road trip with a game against the Sacramento Kings on Friday night at the Golden One Arena. The game will start at 7 pm.