The Warriors battled back from down 15 points but couldn't complete the comeback, losing to the Phoenix Suns on opening night 108-104 on Tuesday at Chase Center.
A Stephen Curry 3-pointer from the left corner cut the deficit to two with 30.6 seconds remaining, but Devin Booker found Jusuf Nurkić rolling to the basket for his eighth assist to put the game out of reach. Booker led the way for the Suns with 32 points, while Curry paced the Warriors with 27 points. In his Warriors debut and facing his former team, Chris Paul scored 14 points, grabbed six rebounds and dished out a game-high nine assists.
Golden State Warriors Highlights vs. Phoenix Suns
Team Leaders
GSW
| Points | Rebounds | Assists |
| Curry - 27 | Looney - 11 | Paul - 9 |
| Thompson - 15 | Šarić - 7 | Thompson - 3 |
| Paul - 14 | Thompson - 7 | Payton II - 2 |
PHX
| Points | Rebounds | Assists |
| Booker - 32 | Nurkic - 14 | Booker - 8 |
| Durant - 18 | Durant - 11 | Durant - 3 |
| Okogie - 17 | Eubanks - 7 | Goodwin/Nurkic - 3 |
WEATHERING EARLY BOOKER STORM
With 5:02 remaining in the first quarter, Devin Booker had already scored 15 points — including eight during a 10-0 Suns run. Already having the hot hand, he pulled up for a 25-foot 3-pointer, but Andrew Wiggins came from behind and swatted it away. On the ensuing possession, Stephen Curry nailed a 3-pointer to bring the Warriors within seven, forcing a Suns timeout. Including that Curry three, the Warriors went on a 16-4 run to end the quarter tied at 28.
Moses Moody was instrumental during that run with seven points on 3-for-4 shooting, one steal and one block — a plus-eight in four minutes.
THIRD QUARTER BOUNCE BACK
The Warriors lost the second quarter by 15 points (33-18) — the primary correlation was their poor shooting efficiency. The Dubs shot just 6-for-27 from the field in the quarter, including 3-for-15 inside the arc. They struggled to finish at the basket, breaking down the defense to get quality looks, but couldn't convert.
However, they quickly bounced back in the third quarter, outscoring the Suns by 21 (40-19) to take a six-point lead. Curry (11 points) and Paul (10 points) combined for 21 of those 40 points. After an and-1 layup by Paul — his second basket as a Warrior — Dub Nation erupted in 'CP3' chants to share their appreciation.
Chris Paul finishes through contact
DURANT'S TRIBUTE
Before the game, the Warriors recognized two-time Finals MVP Kevin Durant, who played in his first game at Chase Center with fans in attendance. Durant received a tribute video for his three seasons with the Dubs, which included three finals appearances and two championships.
Durant recorded a double-double, scoring 18 points and grabbing 11 rebounds in 36 minutes.
SEASON 12 OF CURRY, THOMPSON, GREEN TRIO
The trio of Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green kicked off their 12th NBA season as teammates on Tuesday. They are now tied with for the second-most seasons played by a trio in NBA history with Larry Bird, Kevin McHale and Robert Parish (Boston, 1980-1991) and trail only Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker (14 seasons with San Antonio, 2002-2015). Stephen Curry began his 15th season — the most in Warriors' franchise history — becoming just the 16th player in NBA history to play at least 15 consecutive seasons with the same team.
Postgame Warriors Talks
- Now Playing
- Postgame Warriors Talk: Stephen Curry – 10/24/23
- Postgame Warriors Talk: Chris Paul – 10/24/23
UP NEXT
Seven of the Warriors' next eight games are on the road, beginning Friday in Sacramento against the Kings.
MORE NOTABLES:
- Tonight marked the 10th time the Warriors have faced the Suns on opening night all-time… Golden State fell to 3-7 in those games with tonight’s loss… Prior to tonight, the last time the Warriors opened the regular season vs. the Suns at home was 2000 and the last time the teams faced on opening night in Phoenix dates back to 2011.
- Golden State fell to 35-43 all-time in season openers… The Warriors are now 44-34 in their first home game of the season.
- Tonight marked the seventh time in the last nine seasons the Warriors have opened the season at home.
- Golden State tallied 40 points in the third quarter… Last season they posted 40-or-more points in a quarter 20 times, the most in a single season since recording 24 in the 1961-62 season (franchise record).
- The Warriors made 22 shots from the free throw line… Last season the Warriors recorded 18 games with 20-or-more makes from the line… Golden State attempted 28 free throws to Phoenix’s 17; last season the Warriors attempted more free throws than their opponent 17 times.
- Tonight marked the Warriors 478th consecutive sellout, the longest streak in franchise history.
- Stephen Curry began his 15th NBA season tonight, extending his franchise-record mark for most seasons played… Among active NBA players, he has the longest tenure with a single team… He became the 16th player in NBA history to spend at least 15-consecutive seasons with the same franchise.
- He made a three-pointer for the 246th consecutive regular season game, extending his NBA-record streak (began on 12/1/18 at DET).
- Klay Thompson moved into sole possession of fifth place on the franchise’s all-time games played list (717) passing Jeff Mullins (716).
- Kevon Looney played in his 194th consecutive regular season game, the second-longest active streak in the NBA (Mikal Bridges – 392)… He’s played in 229 consecutive games (regular season and playoffs), the longest streak by a Warrior since Antwan Jamison played in 246 consecutive games (regular season and playoffs).
- He recorded his 70th career game of 10-plus rebounds… He posted 35 games of double-figure rebounds last season, a team-high mark.
- Moses Moody recorded a career-high three steals (prev. two, 03/28/22 at MEM)… He tallied 11 points, last season he posted 12 games of double-figure scoring.
- Draymond Green did not play (left ankle sprain), missing the second opening night of his 12 NBA seasons.