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Phoenix Suns (0-0) at Golden State Warriors (0-0) Game Preview: Kevin Durant Returns to Golden State

© Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports

The Phoenix Suns and Golden State Warriors meet in a highly-anticipated season opener tonight at Chase Center. Not only is it the season opener, it will be Kevin Durant’s first time playing against Warriors’ fans since leaving for the Nets in 2019. It will also be Chris Paul’s first game against the Phoenix Suns since being traded away this offseason.

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Local Game Information

Start Time: 7 p.m. MST

Location: Chase Center

TV Channel: TNT

Radio: Arizona Sports 98.7 FM, La Mejor 106.5 FM

Injury Report

Phoenix Suns: Devin Booker (left big toe soreness) IN | Bradley Beal (lower back tightness) OUT | Damion Lee (right meniscus surgery) OUT

Golden State Warriors: Draymond Green (ankle sprain) OUT

Bradley Beal was officially ruled as OUT by coach Frank Vogel in his pregame presser.

Starters

Phoenix Suns: Devin Booker, Grayson Allen, Josh Okogie, Kevin Durant, Jusuf Nurkić

Golden State Warriors: Chris Paul, Steph Curry, Klay Thompson, Andrew Wiggins, Kevon Looney

Burn City Best Bets

Burn City Best Bets: Suns Season Opener – DraftKings Edition

Burn City Best Bets: Suns Season Opener – Prize Picks Edition

Team Matchup Notes

Here are some stats, notes and everything else to know between the Suns and Warriors (via Suns)

Storyline – Kevin Durant Returns to Golden State, CP3 Reunion

Not only do the Phoenix Suns open their season tonight, but Kevin Durant returns to play in front of fans in a place he once starred at, Golden State, for the first time since leaving the team for the Nets in 2019.

During his time with the Warriors, Durant won two championships and was beloved by fans, who have been awaiting his return since his departure. Durant did play in Golden State in 2021, but it was during the pandemic in front of no fans.

“I’m excited to get back in front of the people I call family there in that organization and fans that I went as hard as I could for for three years there, so it should be fun,” Durant said.

Chris Paul also gets to face his former team right away to start the season.

Paul was traded from the Suns to the Wizards in the Bradley Beal trade. He was later traded to the Warriors for a package that included Jordan Poole. 

Last season with the Suns, the future Hall of Famer started in 59 games for Phoenix. The 38-year-old averaged 13.4 points, 8.9 assists and 1.5 steals during these games.

Paul’s three seasons with the Suns will be remembered forever, as he helped turn a franchise around from mediocrity to perennial Finals contenders once he stepped foot on the court.

“I don’t really think that much about it,” Paul said yesterday about playing the Suns. “I sort of knew as soon as the trade happened, I’ve been through this for a while. You’re going to play them four times anyway.”

However, Paul is looking forward to playing against Devin Booker.

“It’ll be fun, man,” Paul said. “It’s crazy. Me and Book, we so close. It’s going to be like that for life. It’ll be interesting playing against him for the first time, but I’m sure after the first couple of minutes, it’ll be like it was when I was in Oklahoma City and in Houston and all of that before. It definitely should be fun.”

Quotes: Phoenix Suns Couldn’t Wait for Season Opener

The Suns can’t wait to step on the court.

Devin Booker this morning: “I’m excited, man. I don’t ever take a year for granted. I love being in the NBA; I love the grind of it. Summers are always too long so I’ve been anxious and ready for a few months now. That’s like Christmas.”

Bradley Beal yesterday: “I barely slept last night, like I was excited just to get on the plane today and get going and be in practice.”

Eric Gordon yesterday: “This is my 16th year, first games never get old. (I’m) very excited, I know what kind of team we have.”

Frank Vogel yesterday: “We’ve done a lot, and it’s always gonna be a work in progress first year and early in the season when the real games start, but I feel good about where we’re at.” 

Jusuf Nurkić Sunday: “I feel like everybody: fans, players, are ready for the season.”

Kevin Durant Sunday: “I’m excited to start the season, we’ve been preparing for the last two weeks. I think coach has been doing a great job of  implementing the identity we want to have, the schemes we want to have as a team, so looking forward to putting it to use to startr the season.”

Biggest Questions for the Phoenix Suns Going into Opening Night

Biggest Questions For The Phoenix Suns Going Into Opening Night

Past Articles

WATCH: Kevin Durant Ready for FIRST Time Playing in Golden State as Visitor since Leaving in Season Opener

WATCH: Jusuf Nurkić Excited for Season to Start Two Days Before Phoenix Suns Season Opener

WATCH: Frank Vogel Prepares for Regular Season Debut with Phoenix Suns with Opening Night 2 Days Away

Suns’ Stars Limited in Practice Today

Draymond Green OUT vs. Suns Tomorrow

Devin Booker and Bradley Beal are Questionable for Opening Night

WATCH: Bradley Beal Couldn’t Sleep Last Night in Anticipation of Phoenix Suns Debut + Season Opener

WATCH: Eric Gordon Gears up to Start First Regular Season with Phoenix Suns

Bradley Beal Hints at Who the Suns’ Fifth Starter Could Be

WATCH: Frank Vogel Previews Phoenix Suns Season Opener vs. Golden State Warriors

Bradley Beal “Unlikely” to Play in Tonight’s Season Opener

Latest Updates on Devin Booker and Bradley Beal Injuries for Season Opener

Bradley Beal Has The Suns Starting with a Bad Hand

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Brendan Mau is a senior writer covering the Phoenix Suns and more for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on X via @Brendan_Mau

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