The Phoenix Suns outlasted the Golden State Warriors on opening night for a 108-104 victory. Devin Booker led the way for Phoenix with 32 points, eight assists and six rebounds.
Booker, assuming more of a playmaking role with the departure of Chris Paul, used the threat of his scoring to assist on Phoenix’s final eight points in a tight game.
Kevin Durant, who was back in the Bay Area for the first time as a visiting player since leaving Golden State in 2019, struggled against some physical Warriors defense in finishing with 18 points on 22 shots.
Stephen Curry led the Warriors with 27 points, thought he struggled to find his shot in a 4-for-14 night from 3. Klay Thompson and Andrew Wiggins could not pick up the shooting slack, finishing a combined 8 for 30 from the field.
Chris Paul, in his Warriors debut taking on his former team, also struggled with his shot, finishing 4 of 15 overall and 0 for 6 from 3. Paul did record nine assists and was a noticeable stabilizer when Curry was in foul trouble. But the separation for midrange jump shots was not there, and he’s never been a 3-point guy.
The Warriors, who are already a small team and were also without Draymond Green, held their own on the glass but gave up some crucial second-chance buckets that really hurt. Bottom line, Golden State is not going to win many games shooting 23% from 3.
Phoenix was without Bradley Beal, who missed the game with a back injury.
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