SAN FRANCISCO — — Kevin Durant received a warm welcome from familiar faces as he made his return to the Bay Area. However, his shooting performance was not at its best as the Phoenix Suns emerged victorious in the first matchup between two Pacific Division powerhouses.
Durant expressed his gratitude for the love and respect he received from the Warriors’ fan base, both as a player and as a person. He acknowledged the excitement of seeing people he hadn’t seen in a while and reflected on the positive memories created during his time with the team.
Devin Booker led the Suns’ offense with 32 points, including a go-ahead layup and a crucial 3-pointer in the final minutes of the game. Meanwhile, Stephen Curry scored 27 points for the Warriors, but fell short compared to his former shooting partner Durant’s 18 points.
During the third quarter, Curry fueled a comeback for the Warriors, narrowing the gap between the two teams. However, the Suns managed to maintain their lead and secure the victory with a strong defensive effort.
In his Suns debut, Jusuf Nurkic made a significant impact with 14 points and 14 rebounds, including a driving layup in the closing seconds of the game. Josh Okogie and Eric Gordon also contributed key shots for the Suns, while Curry delivered from beyond the arc for the Warriors.
Booker, who was initially questionable due to toe soreness, started strong and finished the game with eight assists and six rebounds to complement his scoring performance.
The Warriors honored Durant with video highlights before the game, evoking memories of their successful championship runs together. Despite the warm welcome, Durant struggled with his shooting, making only 7 of his 22 attempts while collecting 10 rebounds.
Durant’s previous appearances at the Chase Center were either behind closed doors during the pandemic or marred by injury. This game marked his first opportunity to play in front of Bay Area fans since his departure from the Warriors.
In his Warriors debut, Chris Paul contributed 14 points, nine assists, and six rebounds against his former team. Paul struggled with his shooting early on but showcased his ability to create opportunities for his teammates.
Looking ahead, the Suns will face the Lakers on Thursday, aiming to bounce back from their recent road losses to the same opponent. The Warriors, on the other hand, will have a rematch with the Sacramento Kings on Friday, recalling their previous playoff clash that ended in a Game 7 victory.
TIP-INS
The Suns played without G Bradley Beal due to low back tightness. However, coach Frank Vogel remains optimistic about his availability for the upcoming game against the Lakers. The team has historically struggled on Golden State’s home court, losing 18 out of their previous 22 meetings.
The Warriors have had a relatively successful record in their season openers, losing only five of their last 12 games. They have also shown consistency when playing their first home game of the season, boasting a record of 44-34.
PASTOR RETURNS
Earl Smith, the longtime team chaplain for both the Warriors and the 49ers, made his return to the arena after missing the end of last season due to an accident. Smith was involved in a mishap during All-Star weekend in Utah, where an Uber driver started driving before he could fully enter the vehicle.
UP NEXT
The Suns will travel to face the Lakers in their next game, looking to break their two-game losing streak on the road. The Warriors, on the other hand, will have a rematch against the Kings, reminiscent of their intense playoff series that concluded with a Game 7 victory for Golden State.
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