Game Overview: Phoenix Suns vs Golden State Warriors match player stats
The Phoenix Suns and Golden State Warriors faced off in a thrilling Western Conference showdown on December 28, 2024 , at the Chase Center in San Francisco. Both teams entered the game with strong records: the Suns stood at 24-12 , while the Warriors were 22-14 . The matchup promised fireworks, featuring stars like Kevin Durant , Devin Booker , Stephen Curry , and Draymond Green .
The Warriors emerged victorious with a 122-118 win in overtime, thanks to a clutch Stephen Curry three-pointer with 0.8 seconds left . The game saw 23 lead changes and 14 ties , underscoring its intensity. The Suns struggled with turnovers (18 ) and missed free throws (12-of-19 ), while the Warriors capitalized on fast-break points (24 ) and bench contributions (42 points ).
Table of Contents
Key Player Matchups
Devin Booker vs. Stephen Curry: The Scoring Duel
Devin Booker of the Suns and Stephen Curry of the Warriors delivered a mesmerizing scoring duel. Booker finished with 35 points on 12-of-22 shooting , including 6-of-10 from three-point range , along with 8 assists . Curry countered with 38 points , draining 14-of-25 shots and a staggering 12-of-18 from beyond the arc , tying his season high.
Key Moments :
- Curry’s game-tying step-back three with 5.2 seconds left in regulation forced overtime.
- Booker scored 12 points in the fourth quarter but missed a potential game-winning floater in the final seconds.
Kevin Durant vs. Andrew Wiggins: Efficiency vs. Defense
Kevin Durant showcased his scoring prowess with 28 points on 10-of-18 shooting and 7 rebounds , but Warriors’ Andrew Wiggins limited him to 0 points in the final 3 minutes of overtime. Wiggins added 20 points and 5 steals , playing lockdown defense in critical moments. Durant’s 5 blocks highlighted his defensive effort, but Wiggins’ clutch plays proved decisive.
Draymond Green vs. Jusuf Nurkic: The Chess Match
Draymond Green orchestrated the Warriors’ defense with 12 rebounds , 8 assists , and 3 steals , while Suns’ center Jusuf Nurkic dominated the paint with 18 points and 14 rebounds . Green’s ability to switch onto Booker and Durant neutralized Phoenix’s pick-and-roll game, a key factor in the Warriors’ comeback.
Team Performance Analysis
Offensive Efficiency: Three-Point Barrage vs. Interior Dominance
The Warriors’ offense thrived on 42 three-point attempts , making 18 (42.9% ), led by Curry’s 12 triples . The Suns, however, focused on mid-range and paint scoring, with 54 points in the paint but only 10-of-30 from deep . Phoenix’s 22 assists highlighted ball movement, but 18 turnovers cost them dearly.
Defensive Battles: Stops and Steals
The Warriors forced 18 Suns turnovers , converting them into 24 points . Draymond Green and Chris Paul (14 points, 10 assists) disrupted Phoenix’s rhythm with 7 combined steals . The Suns’ defense, led by Durant’s 5 blocks , held the Warriors to 44% shooting but couldn’t contain Curry late.
Statistical Deep Dive
Advanced Metrics: PER and Clutch Performance
- Stephen Curry : 38 PER , +12 +/- , and 12 clutch points .
- Kevin Durant : 28 PER but a -5 +/- in overtime.
- Draymond Green : 20 PER with a game-high +15 +/- .
Curry’s 12 clutch points (last 5 minutes) underscored his MVP-caliber performance, while Durant’s 0 clutch points highlighted the Warriors’ defensive adjustments.
Bench Impact: Warriors’ Depth Shines
The Warriors’ bench outscored the Suns’ reserves 42-28 , with Jonathan Kuminga (18 points) and Brandin Podziemski (14 points) providing sparks. The Suns’ Grayson Allen (10 points) was the only reliable bench scorer.
Coaching Strategies: Kerr Outsmarts Williams
Steve Kerr deployed small-ball lineups in the fourth quarter, switching to a 2-3 zone to disrupt Phoenix’s offense. Monty Williams stuck with Nurkic late, but the Warriors exploited mismatches by dragging him to the perimeter. Kerr’s adjustment to double-team Booker in overtime forced him into 2 turnovers in the final minutes.
Post-Game Reactions
Player Quotes
- Stephen Curry : “That was a playoff atmosphere. We knew we had to dig deep.”
- Devin Booker : “We let one slip. Too many mistakes down the stretch.”
Expert Analysis
Analysts praised the Warriors’ “championship DNA” and Curry’s “unstoppable gravity,” while critiquing the Suns’ “lack of composure” in clutch moments.
Looking Ahead: Playoff Implications
The Warriors climbed to 3rd in the West , while the Suns dropped to 5th . Their next matchup on February 10, 2025 , in Phoenix looms large. Both teams will look to address weaknesses: the Suns need more bench scoring , while the Warriors must improve defensive rebounding (allowed 12 offensive boards).
Conclusion: A Glimpse of Playoff Brilliance
The December 28 clash was a microcosm of postseason basketball, with Stephen Curry and the Warriors edging out a gritty Suns squad. While Phoenix’s stars shone, Golden State’s depth and coaching adjustments proved decisive. As the season progresses, this game will be remembered as a harbinger of a potential playoff series.
Also read – Golden State Warriors vs Phoenix Suns match player stats (Dec 28, 2024)
