Warriors Outshine Short-Handed Suns 118–107 in Early-Season Showdown

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The clash between the Golden State Warriors and Phoenix Suns on November 4, 2025, at San Francisco’s Chase Center delivered plenty of storylines — from injury-depleted lineups to standout individual efforts and unexpected drama from the sidelines. In the end, the Warriors defended their home court with a 118–107 victory, extending their perfect home record and exposing the challenges facing a short-handed Suns squad.

Pre-Game Challenges: Depth Tested Early

Both teams entered the matchup battling significant injury setbacks. The Phoenix Suns were without Dillon Brooks and Jalen Green, two players whose defensive presence and scoring punch had become vital early in the season. Head coach Jordan Ott also faced uncertainty around Isaiah Livers (hip contusion) and rookie Ryan Dunn (knee issue), leaving Phoenix thin on the wings.

On the Warriors’ side, Al Horford remained sidelined for toe management, while De’Anthony Melton continued his recovery from ACL surgery. Rookie Alex Toohey was also unavailable. Despite the injuries, Golden State entered the contest with a slight edge in depth and the advantage of playing at home.

The stakes were high even this early in the 2025–26 NBA campaign: Phoenix arrived with a 3–4 record seeking stability, while the Warriors stood at 4–3, eager to build momentum.

Gameday in Golden State | Phoenix Suns

Warriors Set the Tone Early

Golden State wasted no time asserting control. Stephen Curry led a first-quarter surge, hitting multiple three-pointers as the Warriors stormed to a 33–19 lead. The Suns struggled to find rhythm on offense, even as Devin Booker tried to keep them afloat after a slow start. The Warriors’ ball movement and energy — punctuated by an 11–0 opening run — quickly silenced any hopes of an early Phoenix statement.

Moses Moody provided a major spark off the bench in the second quarter. His red-hot shooting from deep extended Golden State’s lead to 68–49 by halftime, while Phoenix’s bench contributions from Collin Gillespie weren’t enough to narrow the gap.

Booker’s Push and Warriors’ Response

The Suns showed resilience in the third quarter, led by a fiery Devin Booker, who erupted for 17 points in the period. Mark Williams dominated the glass with 16 rebounds, and Grayson Allen added efficient scoring to help Phoenix cut the deficit to single digits. The Warriors briefly lost rhythm, committing seven turnovers in the quarter — more than in the entire first half.

However, Golden State steadied themselves in the final frame. Curry and Moody reignited the offense with back-to-back triples to rebuild a double-digit lead. Moody’s confident shooting and Curry’s composure proved decisive down the stretch, allowing the Warriors to pull away for good.

Key Performances

Curry finished with 28 points and five three-pointers, pacing the Warriors’ attack. Moody’s 24 points off the bench, also on five threes, highlighted Golden State’s depth and shooting versatility. Quinten Post added 14 points and six rebounds, while Brandin Podziemski and Buddy Hield chipped in a combined 25 points.

For the Suns, Booker’s 38-point outburst stood as a reminder of his elite scoring ability, as he converted all 11 of his free throws. Williams’s double-double performance (16 points, 16 rebounds) anchored the paint, and Allen contributed 16 points with reliable shooting. But without Brooks and Green, Phoenix’s defensive structure faltered against Golden State’s perimeter barrage.

Unusual Moment: Dillon Brooks’ Bench Technical

Even off the court, the Suns made headlines. Dillon Brooks, sidelined with a core injury, was assessed a technical foul late in the fourth quarter for arguing with referees — all while wearing sunglasses on the bench. The incident drew laughter from Draymond Green and amused reactions from the Chase Center crowd.

Brooks, acquired in a multi-team trade during the offseason, has played only three games this year but has impressed when healthy, averaging over 19 points per game. His fiery competitiveness, however, continues to follow him even from the sidelines.

Post-Game Notes and Outlook

The victory pushed Golden State to a perfect 4–0 at home, while the Suns suffered their fourth straight road defeat. Jimmy Butler, who started but exited early with back soreness, will remain day-to-day, and Curry is expected to rest the following night against Sacramento due to illness.

For the Suns, the focus now shifts to regrouping before hosting the Los Angeles Clippers. The return of Brooks and Green could not come soon enough for a team searching for balance and consistency in both ends of the floor.

Conclusion: Early Lessons in Resilience

While the box score favored the Warriors, the November 4 matchup revealed much more than a win-loss record. Golden State showcased its depth, adaptability, and trust in younger contributors like Moody and Post. Phoenix, despite missing key players, displayed fight and flashes of chemistry that could become crucial once the roster is whole again.

As early-season challenges test every contender’s mettle, this game underscored an important truth of the NBA grind: great teams are defined not just by their stars, but by how they respond to adversity. The Warriors passed that test on their home court — and the Suns, with their talent and resolve, will have opportunities ahead to write their comeback story.

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