Game Preview: The Phoenix Suns host the floundering Golden State Warriors

On By Littum

WHO: Golden State Warriors (12-6) @ Phoenix Suns (10-8)

When: 19:00 Arizona time

Where: Footprint Center — Phoenix, Arizona

Clock: 3TV & Arizona’s Family Sports

Listen: KMVP 98.7

Patience continues to be tested after the Phoenix Suns’ short-handed loss Brooklyn Nets Wednesday evening. After a blowout win against Los Angeles Lakers the previous evening everything seemed to be back on track in the valley. Less than 24 hours later, however, the Suns disappointed again.

It promises to be a challenging season both on and off the pitch. Suns center Jusuf Nurkic’s recent comments hinting at fan criticism suggest the relationship between the players and their supporters is strained.

Nurkic’s latest comments highlight that some Suns players are still a bit fragile and that their focus occasionally drifts from where it needs to be…on the court. There’s no denying it: this is an ongoing problem and changes are needed to get things back on track.

With the Warriors coming to town on a three-game losing streak, the Suns have a chance to gain a little traction in the standings by handing them their fourth loss.

Starting lineups

Damage report

Sun

  • Collin Gillespie — OUT (ankle)
  • Bradley Beal – DAY TO DAY (Calf)
  • Jusuf Nurkic — DAY TO DAY (ankle)

Warriors

  • Jonathan Kuminga – DAY TO DAY (illness)
  • Andrew Wiggins – DAY TO DAY (ankle)
  • Gary Payton II — DAY-TO-DAY (adductor)
  • Steph Curry — DAY TO DAY (Knee)
  • De’Anthony Melton — OUT (ACL)

Uniform Matchup

What to look for

Royce and Grayson

Entering his seventh NBA season, Grayson Allen is posting his lowest three-point shooting percentage since his rookie year, hitting just 34%. As a result, he has become something of a scapegoat for the Suns. Like the annual trade deadline investigation surrounding LeBron James’ team, where a single player often takes the blame, Allen has found himself in that spotlight for Phoenix.

With the Warriors boasting a formidable bench, Allen needs to step up. After scoring fewer than 10 points in his last three games, the Suns will likely need a 15-20 point performance from him tonight to stay competitive. It’s not all about Allen though – Royce O’Neale also needs to raise his game to give the Suns a fighting chance.

Over the past three games, Royce O’Neale has been a bright spot for the Suns, shooting 50% from beyond the arc and helping fill the void left by Grayson Allen’s struggles off the bench. O’Neale needs to maintain that consistency, at least until the Suns can snap their three-game losing streak.

Without both O’Neale and Allen producing from long range, the Suns will face continued challenges this season — especially with Bradley Beal sidelined by injury. Consistency from their supporting cast is key to staying competitive.

Warriors bench

The Warriors bring the league’s most efficient bench to the Valley, with a league-best 67.2 offensive rating and an average of 52.2 points per game. match. That bench firepower will be a key factor in the Warriors’ strategy to take control early against the Suns.

The big question: can the Suns rise to the challenge? And will coach Budenholzer consider digging deeper into his bench if things start to unravel like they did in Wednesday’s loss?

The Suns’ bench, which ranks 27th in the league with an offensive rating of 51.2, will need to step up to keep the game competitive. Tonight will be a true test of their depth and resilience.

Forecast

I’m still not completely sold on this team, but despite that, I’m calling a Suns win tonight: 119-115. It’s shaping up to be a really good game, and maybe that’s the spark they need to turn things around.