Warriors vs Suns: Curry sits out as Phoenix chases first win
Web StoryWatch this story in 15 seconds →Key takeaways
- Stephen Curry will miss the game as Golden State rests him on a back-to-back.
- Both teams are still winless, so one side gets its first win on Saturday night.
- The game tips off at 7 in the evening Arizona time at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix.
Stephen Curry will not play when the Golden State Warriors visit the Phoenix Suns. The game is set for Saturday night in Phoenix. It is the Suns home opener, and both teams are still looking for a first win.
The game tips off at 7 in the evening Arizona time on Saturday. That is 7 in the morning PKT on Sunday. It will air on NBA TV, according to Athlon Sports.
What happened on Friday
Golden State lost 111-108 to the Memphis Grizzlies on Friday night. The Warriors led by 12 points with 3 minutes and 47 seconds left. Memphis then scored 17 points in a row to win the game.
Curry scored 24 points in 30 minutes against Memphis. He has scored 47 points in the first two games of the season. After the loss, reporters asked Curry if he would play on Saturday.
"Probably not," Curry said, according to Arizona Sports. He added that he would talk to the medical staff first.
Golden State has now lost its first two games. The team also lost its season opener to the Los Angeles Lakers. A loss in Phoenix would leave the Warriors at 0-3.
Read our guide to the Friday game here: Memphis Grizzlies vs Golden State Warriors.
Why Curry is sitting out
This is a planned rest day, not a new injury scare. Golden State is playing its third game in four days. Saturday is also the second night of a back-to-back.
Back-to-back means two games on two straight nights. It is a tough test early in the season. Coach Steve Kerr has been open about his careful plan for Curry.
Kerr said the team is ramping Curry up more slowly this year. That quote comes from Arizona Sports, which cited a report by The Athletic. Kerr even warned fans to check the schedule before buying tickets.
Curry missed 39 games last season with a right knee injury. That history is why the team is being careful now. The official reason for Saturday is right knee management, according to Athlon Sports.
The full injury list
Curry is not the only Warrior missing this game. Brandin Podziemski is also out for Phoenix. He tweaked his back during the loss to Memphis.
Podziemski scored 18 points in 33 minutes against Memphis. He had already missed the season opener against the Lakers. That absence was due to a lower back strain, according to Golden State of Mind.
Veteran center Al Horford is out too, due to back injury management. Horford has averaged 1.5 points and 4.5 rebounds in two games. He scored three points and five rebounds against Memphis.
Jimmy Butler, Kristaps Porzingis, and Moses Moody are also out. Draymond Green is doubtful with lower back soreness. Charles Bassey is questionable after missing the first two games.
That leaves Golden State very short of players. De'Anthony Melton and Gary Payton II are set for bigger roles. Hoops Rumors reports that the pair will pick up most of the guard minutes.
Why it matters for Phoenix
Phoenix needs this win badly. The Suns lost their season opener to Portland by 41 points. It was a rough start to the new season.
The shooting numbers tell the story. Phoenix made just 6 of 32 three-point shots against Portland. That is only 19 percent from long range.
Portland shot 40 percent from three-point range in the same game. Phoenix also lost the rebound battle 56-39. Portland grabbed 16 offensive rebounds, according to Sports Illustrated.
Star guard Devin Booker scored 23 points against Portland. He shot 7 of 13 from the field in that game. He also had four rebounds and two assists.
But Booker took no three-point shots in the opener. Sports Illustrated notes that fans want more aggression from him. This home game is his chance to set the tone early.
The Suns also have a new head coach in Jordan Ott. His teams are known for hustle and hard work. That effort was missing against Portland, according to Sports Illustrated.
What to watch in the game
Booker is the key player for Phoenix. He must score more and take charge of the offense. If his shots fall early, the crowd will lift the whole team.
Golden State must find scoring without Curry. The young players get a rare chance to lead the team. A win here would calm early nerves after two losses.
The rebound battle matters a lot too. Phoenix was pushed around by Portland on the boards. A stronger effort there would change the whole game.
Fans can also follow the other Saturday game here: Houston Rockets vs Atlanta Hawks.
What happens next
The winner leaves Phoenix with a first win of the season. The loser faces more hard questions after a winless start. Both teams play 82 games, so one loss does not end a season.
For Golden State, the big test is health. The team needs Curry, Podziemski, and Green back soon. A short-handed squad can only stretch so far in a long season.
For Phoenix, this is a chance to reset at home. A strong home opener would wipe away the Portland loss fast. A second heavy loss would raise the pressure on a new coach and a new roster.
The next step is simple for both sides. Play hard, protect the ball, and win the rebound battle. Saturday night in Phoenix will show which team learned more from a bad first week.
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