The Golden State Warriors will conclude their eight-game homestand when they face the Phoenix Suns on Tuesday night. After back-to-back losses against the Detroit Pistons and Orlando Magic, the reigning NBA champions will be looking to re-establish some confidence ahead of a five-game road-trip.
The Warriors could be boosted by the return of superstar Stephen Curry, potentially giving the team their full complement of starters for the first time since December 2 against the Chicago Bulls.
Stephen Curry is listed as questionable for the Golden State Warriors matchup against an injury-riddled Phoenix Suns on Tuesday night.
Friday’s game in San Antonio was initially set as a target for Curry’s return, but after a full practice on Monday, the 34-year-old could play against the Suns in what would be his first game since injuring his shoulder against the Indiana Pacers on December 14.
Golden State are nearing a return to full health — Andrew Wiggins will play his second game back from an adductor strain, while Klay Thompson will return after being a last-minute withdrawal against the Magic. It leaves youngsters James Wiseman and Jonathan Kuminga, along with veteran JaMychal Green, as the only confirmed outs.
The Suns might be 2-0 against the Warriors so far this season, but this will be a completely different team to those two matchups in Phoenix. The loss of their own superstar, Devin Booker, has sent Monty Williams’ men into freefall and into danger of missing the playoffs.
Phoenix are 1-9 in their last ten games, now sitting at 20-21 after a bright start to the season. They’ve had the 29th ranked offense in the league over this period, and they’re 18th ranked defense hasn’t been much better.
Not only has good form deserted them, but their player availability continues to worsen. Booker’s backcourt teammate and old Warrior foe Chris Paul is also out with hip soreness, and so too his backup in Cameron Payne.
The Suns are still yet to find a trade for the absent Jae Crowder, and his starting power-forward replacement, Cameron Johnson, has been sidelined for an extended period with a knee injury. Adding to an already thin roster, Deandre Ayton, Landry Shamet and Torrey Craig are all questionable for Tuesday night as well.
Losses to Detroit and Orlando were ultra-disappointing results for the now 20-20 Warriors, but not even those would compare to a defeat against this version of the Suns. With Curry’s potential return bound to provide some reinvigoration, nothing short of a comfortable win should be the expectation for the hosts.