Devin Booker scored 43 points to lead the Phoenix Suns to a 131-122 victory over the short-handed Golden State Warriors on Saturday night at Mortgage Matchup Center. Booker shot 17 of 25 from the field and added seven rebounds and seven assists as Phoenix won its home opener for the fifth consecutive season.
The Suns improved to 1-1 after suffering a 124-83 defeat to the Portland Trail Blazers in their season opener. Booker provided the offensive spark against Golden State, scoring 19 points in the first half and another 17 in the third quarter as Phoenix took control of the game.
Phoenix led 57-54 at halftime before outscoring the Warriors 45-38 in the third quarter. Jordan Goodwin hit a three-pointer just before the buzzer to give the Suns a 102-92 advantage heading into the final period.
Golden State stayed within reach early in the fourth, but the Suns gradually pulled away. Luke Kennard knocked down a three-pointer with six minutes remaining to extend Phoenix’s lead to 117-102, helping the home team maintain control down the stretch.
Kennard finished with 11 points, making three of his five attempts from beyond the arc. Miles Bridges added 16 points and seven rebounds, while Dillon Brooks contributed 15 points and five assists. Goodwin recorded nine points and four assists, and Collin Gillespie added 11 points and nine assists off the bench.
The Warriors fell to 0-3 for the first time in 19 years while playing their third game in four days. Golden State rested several key players, including Stephen Curry, who was dealing with right knee issues, along with Brandin Podziemski, Draymond Green and Al Horford, who were sidelined with back-related concerns.
Rookie Yaxel Lendeborg led the Warriors with a season-high 26 points, nine rebounds and five assists, connecting on six of his 11 three-point attempts. De’Anthony Melton scored 25 points on 8-of-13 shooting, including four three-pointers, while Brandon Williams added 20 points.
Golden State shot 44% from three-point range, making 17 of 39 attempts, but Phoenix finished at 58% from the field and had enough scoring to secure the win.
The Warriors visit the Denver Nuggets on Monday, while the Suns travel to face the Oklahoma City Thunder that night.
