Tip-off 10:00 p.m. ET (7:00 p.m. PT / local time)
Venue: Mortgage Matchup Center, Phoenix, Arizona
TV/Streaming: NBA TV / regional networks (NBCS Bay Area, Arizona’s Family/Suns+) / NBA League Pass (restrictions may apply)
Both teams enter winless and looking for their first victory of the 2026-27 season. The Warriors are on the second night of a back-to-back after blowing a late 12-point lead in a home loss to Memphis. Phoenix hosts its home opener following a blowout road loss in Portland. The Suns eliminated Golden State in the play-in tournament last season.
Injury Reports
Warriors:
Stephen Curry (G, rest/load management) – Unlikely / probably will not play (second night of back-to-back).
Brandin Podziemski (G, back) – Out.
Jimmy Butler III (F, knee) – Out.
Moses Moody (G, knee) – Out.
Kristaps Porziņģis (C/F, illness) – Out.
Charles Bassey (C, knee/patellar) – Day-to-day.
Suns:
Mark Williams (C, left shoulder surgery) – Out (extended absence).
Oso Ighodaro (F/C, right oblique strain) – Doubtful / day-to-day.
Luke Kennard (G, left knee tendinopathy) – Questionable.
Golden State is heavily short-handed in the backcourt and frontcourt. Phoenix is thin at center.
Current Rosters & Projected Starters
Golden State Warriors key players (2026-27): Stephen Curry (resting), Draymond Green, Yaxel Lendeborg, Al Horford, De’Anthony Melton, Gui Santos, Georges Niang, Gary Payton II, Brandon Williams, Brandin Podziemski (out), and others (including two-ways). Projected starters (adjusted for absences): Likely a mix featuring De’Anthony Melton or Brandon Williams, Yaxel Lendeborg, Draymond Green, Al Horford or Graham Ike, with Gui Santos and others filling in. Rookie Yaxel Lendeborg has been productive early (double-double vs. Memphis).
Phoenix Suns key players (2026-27): Devin Booker, Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, Miles Bridges, Khaman Maluach, Collin Gillespie, Ryan Dunn, Duop Reath, and others. Projected starters: Devin Booker, Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, Miles Bridges, Khaman Maluach (or Duop Reath if Ighodaro remains out). Booker anchors the offense; Bridges provides athleticism and scoring as a key addition.
Recent Team Forms
Warriors (0-2):
Oct. 21: L 105-127 at Los Angeles Lakers.
Oct. 23: L 108-111 vs. Memphis – Stephen Curry 24 points; Brandin Podziemski 18; rookie Yaxel Lendeborg 18 points, 13 rebounds, 6 assists. Blew a 106-94 lead in the final 3:47, allowing a 17-0 Grizzlies run. First 0-2 start since 2020-21.
Suns (0-1):
Oct. 21: L 83-124 at Portland – Poor shooting (35.7% FG, low 3-point percentage), outrebounded significantly. Devin Booker led with around 23 points in a game where “everything went wrong.” Looking to reset at home.
Both sides are searching for rhythm after disappointing openers. Golden State’s late collapses and Phoenix’s offensive struggles define the early narrative.
Key Player vs. Player Matchups
Devin Booker vs. Warriors perimeter defense (Melton, Payton II, others): Booker’s scoring and creation against a depleted Golden State backcourt. Without Curry and Podziemski, containment will be challenging.
Yaxel Lendeborg / Draymond Green vs. Miles Bridges / Dillon Brooks: Athleticism, versatility, and physicality on the wings/frontcourt. Lendeborg’s early production meets Bridges’ two-way ability.
Al Horford / bigs vs. Khaman Maluach / Duop Reath: Size and experience against Phoenix’s young centers with Williams and Ighodaro sidelined.
Scoring depth (Gui Santos, Georges Niang, Melton vs. Jalen Green, Brooks, Gillespie): Secondary creation and shooting. Green’s athleticism could exploit Warriors’ thin roster.
Overall pace and spacing: Golden State’s motion offense (even short-handed) vs. Phoenix’s ability to force turnovers and transition.
Phoenix holds the talent edge with Booker healthy and at home; Golden State relies on grit, Green’s playmaking, and rookie contributions.
Series History
The teams have split recent regular-season meetings competitively. Phoenix won the most recent encounter in the 2026 play-in tournament (111-96). Golden State took a 101-97 road win in Phoenix on Feb. 5, 2026. Overall recent H2H leans slightly toward competitive games, with the Suns holding home success in the latest high-stakes meeting.
Betting Trends
Phoenix is favored as the healthier home team against a short-handed, back-to-back Warriors side. Early totals have been lower due to both teams’ offensive struggles. Public money often backs the home favorite; some models see value on the underdog cover given Golden State’s competitiveness even when depleted.
Game Odds
Golden State Warriors 222
Phoenix Suns – 6.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Friday, October 23, 2026
