Who: Phoenix Suns (15-12) @ Golden State Warriors (13-15)
When: 6:30pm Arizona Time
Where: Chase Center, San Francisco, California
Watch: Arizona’s Family 3TV, Arizona’s Family Sports, NBATV
Listen: KMVP 98.7
The Suns are coming off a hard‑fought win snatched in the final moments of a very physical, stop‑and‑go game against these same Warriors. Tonight will be their third matchup against them, and 10th game against a division opponent (the Suns are currently 6–3 in those). Phoenix’s record over the last
10 games is negative, but the performances have been more than encouraging, especially considering they’ve faced five teams with a 60% to 70% win rate (OKC x2, the Rockets x2, the Lakers x2, Denver, and Minnesota).
On the Warriors’ side, the situation is very different. They’re on a three‑game losing streak and also sit at 4–6 over their last 10, but their performances have been disappointing: Jimmy Butler isn’t playing anywhere near his best, Steve Kerr seems to have lost his grip on the team, and a sickness called “inconsistency” is slowly eating away at the entire locker room.
Probable Starters
Injury Report
Suns
- Grayson Allen — QUESTIONABLE (Right Knee Soreness)
- Jordan Goodwin — AVAILABLE (Jaw Sprain)
- Isaiah Livers — QUESTIONABLE (Right Hip Strain)
- Jalen Green — OUT (Right Hamstring Strain)
Warriors
- Jonathan Kuminga — QUESTIONABLE (Illness)
- Al Horford — OUT (Sciatica)
- Seth Curry — OUT (Left Glute)
What to Watch For
Both teams are in a stretch where the offense isn’t always smooth, so the smallest run sparked by their franchise player can swing the game. Booker is coming off a very complete performance despite the team’s inconsistency, while Curry remains unpredictable, capable of dropping 40 in a heat‑check night or finishing with 12 points on poor efficiency. Whoever finds his rhythm first will dictate the tempo.
With Horford out, Golden State is severely lacking size, verticality, and rim protection. Mark Williams and Oso Ighodaro have a real opportunity to dominate physically, control the glass, and punish switches.
If Phoenix wins the interior battle, the Warriors will be forced to over‑rely on three‑point shooting to keep up. Williams will be looking to bounce back from his rough outing, while Ighodaro will try to build on his recent strong form.
Both teams are coming off a tense matchup. The Suns showed they can stay disciplined in chaos (well…except for our friend Brooks). The Warriors, on the other hand, tend to get frustrated quickly when their offense stalls. The first mental slip could decide the game, and my eyes will be locked on Dillon and Draymond at the slightest sign of agitation.
Key to a Suns Win
For several weeks now, Phoenix has shifted heavily toward a defense‑first identity: constant ball pressure, fewer careless fouls, better tactical discipline on switches and closeouts, and overall stronger communication. All of this has allowed them to compete with top teams this season (Spurs, OKC, Lakers, Wolves…), and they’ll need to stay on that path in this matchup. Against a Warriors team that’s inconsistent and often frustrated, setting that defensive tone from the opening quarter could be enough to throw them off their game.
A role player needs to step up. That’s been a theme since the start of the season. When a role player rises to the occasion, Phoenix wins. When nobody does, Phoenix struggles. Goodwin, with his energy and defensive pressure, could be a key factor tonight. A 12‑point game, a couple of steals, and two clutch plays might be all it takes.
Golden State often goes small to regain rhythm…but this season, it hasn’t been nearly as effective. Phoenix has to attack the mismatch and force unfavorable switches to feed Mark Williams, Oso Ighodaro, and Nick Richards in the post. The Suns also need to play more vertically and aggressively at the rim. They’ve been a “jump‑shooting only” team far too often. And in that kind of game, I’m 90% sure the Warriors would come out on top. This matchup needs to be the opposite: drives, contact, and paint pressure.
Just like the last matchup, I’m expecting a scrappy, physical game where the defenses take the upper hand over the offenses. But be careful. As mentioned earlier, the guy on the other side is just as capable of dropping 40 as he is of scoring 12 on 25% shooting, and another one can easily get to the free‑throw line 20 times in a night. I’m putting my trust in the “momentum theorem,” so I’m predicting a Suns win.
Suns 106, Warriors 100
