When two teams built for primetime collide under the bright lights of the NBA’s biggest stages, there’s always a sense that the game will matter. Even when it’s just one game in an 82-game stretch, some matchups feel like previews of something bigger—something postseason-shaped. That’s exactly what this Golden State Warriors vs Phoenix Suns clash delivered: drama, rhythm, momentum shifts, and performances that echoed well beyond the final buzzer.
It wasn’t just about big names. Sure, Curry, Durant, Booker, and Thompson all had their say, but this game was about timing—when shots fell, when rotations broke down, and when benches either delivered or went silent. To truly understand how this matchup played out, you have to look beyond the final score and dig into the Golden State Warriors vs Phoenix Suns match player stats. They reveal the moments that mattered—and the ones that slipped away.
First Quarter: Calm Before the Tactical Storm
The game opened in a measured rhythm. Golden State came out focused, sharing the ball in typical motion-offense fashion, running off-ball screens to free up Curry and Klay. But Phoenix was well-prepared. They chased over screens, switched with purpose, and closed out every three-point attempt with urgency.
Despite the defensive pressure, Stephen Curry found just enough daylight to knock down two early threes, while Draymond Green facilitated with sharp passes from the top of the arc. On the other side, Devin Booker operated like a metronome—consistent, composed, never rushing. He hit midrange shots, found cutters, and kept the Warriors scrambling.
Durant, as he often does, picked his spots without fanfare. A smooth pull-up here, a baseline jumper there. It wasn’t explosive, but it was effective. By the end of the first quarter, the game was tied. The energy was building, but both teams were still feeling each other out.
Notable 1st Quarter Stats:
- Stephen Curry: 8 PTS, 2 AST, 2 3PM
- Devin Booker: 7 PTS, 3 AST
- Kevin Durant: 6 PTS, 2 REB
- Kevon Looney: 5 REB, 2 OREB
Second Quarter: Bench Depth and Beal’s Burst
Where the first quarter was controlled, the second quarter became a bit more frantic. The Warriors began leaning into their second unit, hoping Jonathan Kuminga and Gary Payton II could bring some energy. They did, for a while. Kuminga’s cuts to the basket and Payton’s defense kept Golden State alive while Curry sat, but the real story was what happened on Phoenix’s side.
This is where Bradley Beal made his presence felt. He pushed the tempo, attacked in transition, and began finding open space beyond the arc. His aggression opened up looks for teammates, and the Suns began pulling away ever so slightly. Meanwhile, Jusuf Nurkić quietly racked up rebounds, neutralizing second-chance opportunities for the Warriors.
Golden State struggled with turnovers in this stretch. Sloppy passes and rushed possessions gave the Suns extra possessions they didn’t waste. What had been a one-possession game shifted to a seven-point Phoenix lead by halftime.
Halftime Key Stats:
- Bradley Beal: 13 PTS, 3 AST
- Curry: 14 PTS, 4-6 from three
- Booker: 12 PTS, 5 AST
- Wiggins: 6 PTS, 2 REB, 2 TO
- Nurkić: 7 PTS, 9 REB (5 defensive)
Third Quarter: The Splash Push and Durant’s Silence Break
No team in the NBA does third quarters quite like the Warriors. And true to form, they came out of the locker room with renewed energy. Klay Thompson, who had been quiet in the first half, hit three threes in the span of five minutes. Curry followed with a step-back from the wing that brought the crowd to its feet. Suddenly, the game was tied again, and the momentum felt like it belonged to Golden State.
But Kevin Durant, quiet and deliberate, decided otherwise. He scored on back-to-back possessions—first a fadeaway over Wiggins, then a top-of-the-key jumper over Green. No celebration, no drama, just pure execution. That silenced the run and gave the Suns a little breathing room.
Both teams traded buckets, but the Suns got key contributions from their role players. Eric Gordon hit a tough contested three. Josh Okogie grabbed an offensive rebound and turned it into an and-one. Phoenix wasn’t dominating—they were surviving. And that made all the difference.
Golden State’s bench struggled here. Turnovers and missed open looks gave the Suns enough cracks to slip through.
End of 3rd Quarter Score:
Warriors 83 – Suns 85
Fourth Quarter: Where Poise Becomes the Weapon
The final quarter was less about schemes and more about poise. Every possession slowed. Both teams fought for space, trying to avoid mistakes more than force miracles. The stars stayed on the floor, and the game turned into a battle of will and endurance.
Curry had 29 points with five minutes left, but Phoenix doubled him on every catch. His teammates didn’t respond. Klay missed a good look from the corner. Draymond’s pass hit Looney’s ankle and turned into a turnover. You could see the frustration building.
Booker, on the other hand, kept attacking. He didn’t force hero shots—he drew defenders, kicked out, and found Durant on the weak side for a dagger three. Then Beal hit a pull-up jumper with 90 seconds left that pushed the lead to six.
Golden State had one last push. Curry drilled a deep three, then stole the inbounds pass. But on the next play, his floater rimmed out, and Nurkić secured the rebound. That was the last real window.
Final Score:
Phoenix Suns 109 – Golden State Warriors 103
Final Player Stats: Phoenix Suns vs Golden State Warriors Match Player Stats
Golden State Warriors:
| Player | PTS | REB | AST | FG% | 3PT% | TO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stephen Curry | 32 | 4 | 6 | 48% | 50% | 2 |
| Klay Thompson | 19 | 3 | 1 | 41% | 42% | 1 |
| Draymond Green | 6 | 7 | 5 | 33% | 0% | 3 |
| Andrew Wiggins | 10 | 5 | 2 | 44% | 25% | 2 |
| Kevon Looney | 8 | 11 | 1 | 60% | — | 0 |
Phoenix Suns:
| Player | PTS | REB | AST | FG% | 3PT% | TO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Devin Booker | 27 | 3 | 7 | 52% | 36% | 1 |
| Kevin Durant | 26 | 6 | 2 | 54% | 40% | 1 |
| Bradley Beal | 20 | 3 | 4 | 45% | 38% | 2 |
| Jusuf Nurkić | 10 | 14 | 3 | 47% | — | 1 |
| Eric Gordon | 9 | 2 | 1 | 38% | 33% | 0 |
Conclusion: A Game That Echoes
This Golden State Warriors vs Phoenix Suns contest wasn’t won by force—it was won by calculation. Phoenix remained calm under pressure, stuck to their structure, and made just enough plays to edge past a Warriors team that showed flashes but fell short in execution when it counted most.
The match player stats highlight more than efficiency or volume—they show who stepped up in the small moments. Booker’s timing, Durant’s cold-blooded shooting, Beal’s off-ball activity—they weren’t just playing the game, they were managing it.
For Golden State, there’s still a reliance on Curry to manufacture offense. Unless someone else steps consistently into that second scorer role, the burden may grow too heavy—even for a legend.
The NBA season is long, but games like this are bookmarks. They remind teams what works, what doesn’t, and who they’ll likely face again when the stakes are far higher. And if that happens, both squads will remember this night—and how close the margins really were.
