In a high-octane showdown to kick off their season, the Phoenix Suns secured a thrilling 108-104 victory over the Golden State Warriors. The game was nothing short of action-packed, with both teams giving it their all. Let’s dive into the highlights of this exciting season opener.
Starting Lineups
The Phoenix Suns fielded a formidable starting lineup featuring stars like Devin Booker, Grayson Allen, Josh Okogie, Kevin Durant, and Jusuf Nurkic. On the other side, the Golden State Warriors started with their core players, including Steph Curry, Chris Paul, Klay Thompson, Andrew Wiggins, and Kevon Looney. Notably, both teams were missing key players, Draymond Green and Bradley Beal, due to injuries.
Quick Recap
The Suns wasted no time, surging to an early 13-5 lead, largely propelled by the scoring prowess of Devin Booker. Booker’s 10-0 run, which included an impressive and-one over Steph Curry, allowed the Suns to maintain a 17-12 advantage midway through the first quarter.
However, with the Warriors’ bench on the court, Golden State found their rhythm, led by former Suns point guard Chris Paul. The first quarter ended in a deadlock at 28-28, with Booker contributing 15 points and two rebounds.
The Suns returned with a hot start in the second quarter, shooting 6 for 13, maintaining a close contest until the late stages of the first half. A standout performance by Josh Okogie on both ends of the floor contributed to the Suns’ first double-digit lead of the half.
As the first half drew to a close, Kevin Durant delivered a spectacular four-point play with just 5.5 seconds left. Booker remained the game’s leading scorer, with 21 points on an efficient 8-for-10 shooting.
Carrying a 61-46 lead into halftime, the Suns showcased their dominance.
The third quarter saw the Warriors finding their rhythm, particularly with Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson displaying their trademark “Splash Bro’s” form. They led the Warriors to a 68-66 advantage around the six-minute mark, outpacing the Suns for the entire quarter. Golden State outscored Phoenix 40-19 in this period.
The game took a dramatic turn in the fourth quarter as Kevin Durant’s resurgence helped the Suns cut the lead to 88-86. Yuta Watanabe’s heroics, capping an 8-0 run, tied the game, forcing a Warriors timeout.
Eric Gordon’s three-pointer shortly after the timeout pushed the Suns ahead. The game intensified as Devin Booker re-entered with 7:24 left, and the teams battled fiercely down the stretch.
However, with under four minutes to play, Booker had back-to-back turnovers, allowing the Warriors to narrow the lead to 100-99. A missed free throw by Jonathan Kuminga presented a pivotal moment.
In the final moments, as the shot clock dwindled down, Booker found Josh Okogie in the corner for a clutch three-pointer, putting the Suns ahead 103-99. The game continued to see-saw as Eric Gordon and Steph Curry exchanged three-point shots.
A well-executed pick-and-roll from Booker to Jusuf Nurkic extended the Suns’ lead to four points with ten seconds remaining, prompting a timeout by Warriors coach Steve Kerr.
In the waning seconds, the Warriors attempted desperation three-pointers but couldn’t connect, and Josh Okogie secured the final rebound to seal the Suns’ thrilling 108-104 victory.
This season opener delivered intense action and showcased the determination of both teams. It’s just the beginning of what promises to be an exciting NBA season. Stay tuned for more game recaps, player highlights, and thrilling moments as the season unfolds.
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