SAN FRANCISCO – Kevin Durant will face Golden State fans for the first time when the Phoenix Suns tip off their National Basketball Association (NBA) campaign against the Warriors at the Chase Centre on Tuesday night (Wednesday morning, Singapore time).
Immediately following the NBA opener between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Denver Nuggets, with the Nuggets to receive their 2023 championship rings, the spotlight will shine on the Suns and the Warriors.
This contest will give the 35-year-old Durant a chance to perform in front of the fans he thrilled for three seasons while leading Golden State to the championship in 2017 and 2018. He eventually left the Warriors in a sign-and-trade deal with the Brooklyn Nets.
Durant has made just one return to the San Francisco Bay Area, that coming in February 2021 while fans were not allowed to attend games at the Chase Centre due to Covid-19 precautions.
He has never faced the Warriors anywhere since joining the Suns in February in a blockbuster four-team deal.
The new season begins with Durant surrounded by Devin Booker and Suns newcomer Bradley Beal, giving Phoenix as much frontline firepower as any team in the league.
“It will be a change for everybody,” said 30-year-old guard Beal.
“None of us has played on the floor with three guys who can score the ball any time. It will have to be a little sacrifice for everybody.”
Durant was last seen teaming with veteran guard Chris Paul. However, two off-season trades later, Paul is scheduled to make his Warriors regular-season debut on Tuesday.
In this reunion, however, Durant will not see Golden State defensive ace Draymond Green on the floor.
Green missed the entire pre-season with a sprained left ankle and was on Monday ruled out of the opener.
“He’s doing really well, but we don’t feel like it would be wise to throw him out with so little scrimmage time on the floor. We’ll reassess as the days go,” Warriors coach Steve Kerr said.
For those who will be playing, Durant, Paul and Golden State star Stephen Curry have been consistently outstanding on opening night over their careers.
Durant has scored 20 or more points in his last 12 season openers, equalling Karl Malone’s feat for the NBA’s longest streak. Curry will be seeking a 10th straight 20-point opener.
If successful, he would tie Kobe Bryant and Bob Lanier for fifth place on that list, with Paul Pierce and Michael Jordan just one more ahead with 11.
The 38-year-old guard Paul, meanwhile, will be attempting to compile his ninth career opening night double-double.
Only LeBron James has more (10) among active players, all of whom are chasing Tim Duncan, who retired with 14.
With Paul and another former Suns player, Dario Saric, joining the mix this season, Green knows the sooner he gets back, the sooner he and his teammates can work on chemistry issues that plagued the club last campaign.
“Last year, we weren’t a great defensive team and the way our season ended was indicative of that,” he said.
“So we know what it takes to win and the things you have to be great at. Additions like Chris Paul, Dario and guys like that, you see how they’re going to help and make a difference.” REUTERS
