Short-handed Warriors visit Suns, both seeking first win
Archived — this story has rotated out of today’s deck. It is kept here in full.
The gist
The 0-2 Warriors face the 0-1 Suns in Phoenix with Curry, Butler and Porzingis ruled out.
Both teams are chasing a first win, and Golden State is on a back-to-back.
Background
The Golden State Warriors are an NBA team that has opened the season 0-2, losing at the Lakers and then at home to Memphis. The Phoenix Suns are 0-1 after a 41-point opening loss to Portland and are playing their home opener. Phoenix eliminated Golden State in the Play-In Tournament last season, though the Warriors won three of four regular-season meetings. Golden State is playing its third game in four days and the second of a back-to-back.
How it unfolded
- Oct 21, 2026The Suns lost their season opener to the Portland Trail Blazers 124-83, trailing by as many as 52 points.
- Oct 22, 2026The Warriors lost their opener 127-105 on the road to the Lakers.
- Oct 23, 2026Golden State lost 111-108 at home to the Memphis Grizzlies, falling to 0-2 after blowing a late 12-point lead.
- Oct 23, 2026Warriors rookie Yaxel Lendeborg recorded his first career double-double with 18 points, 12 rebounds and six assists.
- Oct 24, 2026The Suns ruled Oso Ighodaro out with a right oblique strain; Luke Kennard remained questionable with left knee tendinopathy.
- Oct 24, 2026Steph Curry, Jimmy Butler, Kristaps Porzingis and Brandin Podziemski were ruled out for the Warriors, with Draymond Green doubtful.
- Oct 24, 2026The Warriors (0-2) visit the Suns (0-1) at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix, tipping off at 10:00 p.m. ET on NBA TV.
Who’s saying what
- Analysts
- Filip Tomic of Pickswise says the Suns lost three of four regular-season games to the Warriors last year by an average of six points, and Saturday is an ideal chance to get the monkey off their back.
- Bulls
- Covers.com betting analyst Geoff Clark picks the Suns at -9.5 up to -10.5, calling it a terrible spot for the Warriors on the second of a back-to-back with Curry unlikely to play and Podziemski ruled out.
Still unverified
Steph Curry's status has been reported inconsistently: Covers.com lists him as unlikely to play, ESPN's injury report lists him out for rest, and another report lists him ruled out.