If falling from grace ever needed to be defined, comparing where the Phoenix Suns and Golden State Warriors are now to where they were at the start of their seasons would suffice.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Phoenix started the year 8-1 and the Warriors started 12-3 before going on 7-14 and 3-12 respective skids to both sit at 15-15 ahead of their matchup in the Bay Saturday night. The Suns are coming off a scrappy (literally) loss to the Dallas Mavericks without Luka Dončić and the Stephen Curry and Draymond Green-less Warriors off a disheartening loss to the Los Angeles Clippers; both games were played last night and are playing each other on the back-end of a back-to-back.
Here are three things to watch as the Suns take on the Warriors Saturday night:
1. Booker still out, Curry and Green in
Suns star Devin Booker (left groin strain) will officially be out for the fifth-straight game after leaving a game against the Indiana Pacers early with groin soreness. Including that game against the Pacers, the Suns are 1-4 in their last five games without Booker. What was once a -0.6 net rating (116.6 offensive, 117.2 defensive) with Booker in the lineup free fell to a -9.1 net rating (111.0 offensive, 120.1 defensive) in the four full games that the 10-year guard has missed.
The numbers are clear, they are missing Booker and his playmaking ability offensively.
Warriors regulars Stephen Curry (scheduled rest) and Draymond Green (back contusion) were out for their 102-92 loss to the Clippers Friday but, according to Steve Kerr, will return to the lineup against Phoenix Saturday.
Curry is averaging 22.5 points, 4.8 rebounds and 6.5 assists in 24 games this season and is coming off a thrilling 38-point performance against the Los Angeles Lakers on Christmas Day.
With Booker and Jusuf Nurkic out, the Suns lack important counters to what Curry and Green provide for Phoenix.
2. Nurkic suspended, turning point or pure frustration?
With 9:02 remaining in the third quarter against the Dallas Mavericks, Suns big man Jusuf Nurkic got into a physical altercation with Mavs forward Naji Marshall that escalated to the locker rooms. Nurkic was given a three-game suspension and Marshall was docked for four.
How will the Suns respond to this?
Was this altercation by Nurkic an act to fire up a Phoenix squad that is desperately grasping for anything to play for? Or was this just a case of frustration mounting up upon a treacherous stretch of the season?
The Suns are 3-4 without the Bosnian Beast this season. Mason Plumlee, Oso Ighodaro, forward Royce O’Neale and even Kevin Durant will have to prepare for important minutes at center. O’Neale and Durant especially as this Warriors team leans small on occasion.
The NBA is suspending Dallas’ Naji Marshall for four games and Phoenix’s Jusuf Nurkic for three games after their fight Friday night when Nurkic struck Marshall in the head and then Marshall threw a punch. pic.twitter.com/MOf5CVoH5d
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) December 28, 2024
3. Should Ryan Dunn be a permanent starter?
If there’s one thing that jumps out when you’ve watched Suns rookie Ryan Dunn’s last two starts, it’s that he has been the catalyst of energy and passion on the floor.
The rookie forward had a similar impact to begin the season but, over time as veterans returned to the lineup, his role dwindled and he started stacking DNPs. How did he gain his starting role back?
Injuries played a part, yes, but it is the instant jolt of energy that he provides on a nightly basis that is integral to a team full of veterans in a rough stretch of the season that desperately needs support from Dunn.
What does a permanent starting role look like for Dunn when the Suns are whole? Well, maybe Bradley Beal moves to the bench. Players around the league in recent seasons, namely Russell Westbrook, have accepted that role for the betterment of the team.
Maybe it would be good for the Suns.
BREAKING: Jusuf Nurkic suspended 3 games for altercation with Naji Marshall
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Reporter Connor Moreno covers the Phoenix Suns for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his X account, @cmorenosports, and on Bluesky, @cloading.bsky.social
