{"id":57331,"date":"2023-10-24T13:13:08","date_gmt":"2023-10-24T17:13:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/?p=57331"},"modified":"2023-10-24T13:13:08","modified_gmt":"2023-10-24T17:13:08","slug":"golden-state-warriors-vs-phoenix-suns-preview","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2023\/10\/24\/golden-state-warriors-vs-phoenix-suns-preview\/","title":{"rendered":"Golden State Warriors vs. Phoenix Suns Preview"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">The Golden State Warriors and the Phoenix Suns kick off their seasons tonight. Following a Lakers-Nuggets rematch to tip off the NBA season, the Warriors and Suns will play later at 10 p.m. ET. Both teams made huge offseason splashes and are excited to show off their new pieces tonight. Wait, both of the new pieces are playing, right?<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Golden State Warriors vs. Phoenix Suns Preview<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Phoenix Suns star Bradley Beal is unlikely to play tonight in season opener vs. the Golden State Warriors, league sources tell <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/TheAthletic?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">@TheAthletic<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/Stadium?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">@Stadium<\/a>. Suns are taking a cautious approach with Beal\u2019s back ailment to begin the new season.<\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/ShamsCharania\/status\/1716812417643249720?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">October 24, 2023<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<h3><span data-contrast=\"none\">A Possible Setback<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">After Monday\u2019s practice, new Suns head coach Frank Vogel said that both <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/b\/bookede01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2023-10-24_bbr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Devin Booker<\/a><\/strong> (toe soreness) and <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/b\/bealbr01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2023-10-24_bbr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Bradley Beal<\/a><\/strong> (back) practiced and should be \u201cgood to go\u201d for Tuesday\u2019s opener against the Warriors. While there\u2019s been no update on Booker, reports on Beal are less promising, with Shams Charania of <\/span><i><span data-contrast=\"none\">The Athletic<\/span><\/i><span data-contrast=\"none\"> reporting that the three-time All-Star is \u201cunlikely to play.\u201d<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">Phoenix is being cautious of Beal\u2019s back tightness, wanting to save him for later in the season rather than using him on opening night. <\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">Despite Beal\u2019s possible absence, the Suns are still loaded. Booker is paired with <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/d\/duranke01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2023-10-24_bbr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Kevin Durant<\/a><\/strong> and <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/n\/nurkiju01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2023-10-24_bbr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Jusuf Nurkic<\/a><\/strong> in the starting lineup, along with an unexpectedly loaded bench. <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/w\/watanyu01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2023-10-24_bbr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Yuta Watanabe<\/a><\/strong>, <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/b\/bolbo01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2023-10-24_bbr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Bol Bol<\/a><\/strong>, <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/a\/allengr01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2023-10-24_bbr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Grayson Allen<\/a><\/strong>, and others were all acquired this offseason, putting doubts about Phoenix\u2019s depth to rest. <\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span data-contrast=\"none\">A Reignited Core<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">On the flip side, Golden State\u2019s shiny new toy will be active, but nobody knows where yet. <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/p\/paulch01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2023-10-24_bbr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Chris Paul<\/a><\/strong> is set to make his Warriors debut tonight after the Suns swapped him for Beal last offseason. One trade with Washington for <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/p\/poolejo01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2023-10-24_bbr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Jordan Poole<\/a><\/strong> later and the 38-year-old is now teamed up with his biggest rival of the last decade. <\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">With <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/g\/greendr01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2023-10-24_bbr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Draymond Green<\/a><\/strong> out tonight with a sprained ankle, it\u2019s unclear where Paul will find himself in the lineup. He may be given the starting nod alongside <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/c\/curryst01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2023-10-24_bbr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Stephen Curry<\/a><\/strong> in the backcourt, but that would leave the Warriors with a small lineup. Despite the opening, look for Paul to come off the bench to run with the second unit while <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/k\/kuminjo01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2023-10-24_bbr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Jonathan Kuminga<\/a><\/strong> likely gets an early season start at power forward. <\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">Warriors coach Steve Kerr has been adamant about the Warriors&#8217; lack of discipline and leadership last season, leading them to the sixth seed in the West. Likely speaking about the second unit, Paul brings a new mentality while veterans Curry and <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/t\/thompkl01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2023-10-24_bbr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Klay Thompson<\/a><\/strong> hold down the starting backcourt. <\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span data-contrast=\"none\">Intertwining Pasts<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Kevin Durant on playing in front of Warriors fans on Tuesday night for the first time since leaving in 2019:<\/p>\n<p>&quot;Some incredible moments there. We have built a bond that don&#39;t really have to be spoken about&#8230; I feel like they&#39;ve been supporting me well before I came there,\u2026 <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/UOZxt9j13W\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">pic.twitter.com\/UOZxt9j13W<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/ClutchPoints\/status\/1716207987998523625?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">October 22, 2023<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">The obvious storyline in this one is Paul\u2019s return to Phoenix. While Paul says there\u2019s no bad blood, there\u2019s no doubt he\u2019s looking to go out and beat his former team. <\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">Despite leaving Golden State four years ago, Durant will play his first game against the Warriors tonight. Durant, like Paul, had no negative comments about his former team. However, his exit involving Green may spark some competitive fire. <\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/l\/leeda03.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2023-10-24_bbr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Damion Lee<\/a><\/strong> and <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/s\/saricda01.html?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2023-10-24_bbr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Dario Saric<\/a><\/strong> will also face off against their former teams, adding layers to this contest. There\u2019s no doubt this was one of the best games picked to start the season off, with underlying chances that sparks may fly. <\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">Expect a high-scoring game involving meticulous offense from some of the best in the game. The new-look Phoenix Suns face off against a rejuvenated Golden State Warriors tonight.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Golden State Warriors and the Phoenix Suns kick off their seasons tonight. Following a Lakers-Nuggets rematch to tip off the NBA season, the Warriors and Suns will play later at 10 p.m. ET. Both teams made huge offseason splashes and are excited to show off their new pieces tonight. Wait, both of the new [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4610,"featured_media":57338,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"no","_lmt_disable":"","sfio_featured_image":false,"sfio_embed_code":"","_ef_editorial_meta_date_first-draft-date":"","_ef_editorial_meta_paragraph_assignment":"","_ef_editorial_meta_checkbox_needs-photo":"","_ef_editorial_meta_number_word-count":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1608,2,25,62,28],"tags":[311,48970,352,409,4297,69,70,48],"class_list":["post-57331","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-basketball","category-featured","category-warriors","category-nba","category-suns","tag-bradley-beal","tag-chis-paul","tag-devin-booker","tag-draymond-green","tag-jonathan-kuminga","tag-kevin-durant","tag-klay-thompson","tag-stephen-curry"],"modified_by":"Kayla Fonte","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/57331","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4610"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=57331"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/57331\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/57338"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=57331"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=57331"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=57331"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}