Warriors, Lakers, Nuggets, Nets, Pistons Top 5 games for Phoenix Suns in 2023-24 season
Rematches.
Returns.
Revenge.
All the games count on the schedule, but there are a handful that take on a special meaning.
Here are the Phoenix Suns’ top five games this 2023-24 regular season, which begins Oct. 24 against the Golden State Warriors at Chase Center in San Francisco.
Oct. 24 at Golden State Warriors
Kevin Durant makes his return to Golden State to play before Warriors fans for the first time since his last season with the franchise in 2018-19. He made his initial return in the 2020-21 season and played against the Warriors on Feb. 13, 2021, but fans didn’t attend as it was during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Wonder if the Warriors are going to play that Durant tribute video again as they promised back then after he won back-to-back NBA titles and finals MVPs (2017-18) during his three seasons there?
This also will be Chris Paul’s first game against the Suns since being traded to Washington in the Bradley Beal deal. The Wizards moved him to Golden State in acquiring Jordan Poole.
Should be a wild NBA opening night in San Francisco on TNT.
Dec. 1 vs. Denver Nuggets
The Nuggets return to Footprint Center for the first time in the regular season since last season’s playoffs when they eliminated the Suns with a 25-point blasting in Game 6 of the Western Conference semifinals.
Denver led 81-51 at halftime. Fans left early. Got ugly.
Two-time MVP Nikola Jokic was unstoppable in the series, averaging a triple-double of 34.5 points, 13.2 rebounds and 10.3 assists. Now he and the Nuggets are favored to repeat as champions.
The game will be a true measuring stick for the new-look Suns, who fired Monty Williams two days after losing Game 6, later hired Frank Vogel and traded four first-round pick swaps, six second-round picks, Landry Shamet and Paul in acquiring Beal from the Wizards.
This will be Phoenix's only home game against the Nuggets this season. The other two are on the road in March.
Feb. 14 vs. Detroit Pistons
The Suns' resurgence began when they hired Williams after having their second-worst season in franchise history at 19-63 in 2018-19.
They finished Williams’ first year 8-0 in the bubble.
The Suns reached the finals his second year after having last made the playoffs in 2010 and won a franchise-record 64 games his third year as Williams earned 2021-22 NBA Coach of the Year honors.
For all his success, he’ll also be remembered for losing by 33 points to Dallas in Game 7 of the West semifinals at home as the top overall seed in 2022 and falling to Denver in last year’s playoffs.
Now head coach of the Pistons, this will be his return game against the team that fired him. Expect an emotional, intense night at Footprint Center on Valentine's Day nonetheless. It'll be Phoenix's final game before All-Star break.
Dec. 13 vs. Brooklyn Nets
The "Twins" are coming home.
Mikal Bridges and Cam Johnson did more than just play a huge part of Phoenix’s turnaround.
They’re still fan favorites in Phoenix.
The Suns got Durant in a trade that sent Bridges and Johnson to Brooklyn right before the Feb. 9 trade deadline, but they lost two guys who will forever be revered by their fans.
Bridges showed after the trade he’s a rising star, Johnson received a four-year, $108-million deal to stay in Brooklyn and both are representing Team USA in the FIBA World Cup.
Standing ovation incoming. Trash talking. Competing.
Just make sure to start the game with Bridges guarding Devin Booker and vice versa. This will be the second of a back-to-back as Phoenix plays host to Golden State on Dec. 12.
Oct. 26 at Los Angeles Lakers
LeBron James and Durant haven’t faced each other since Christmas 2018.
Darn injuries.
That’ll change when the Suns play against the Lakers two days after their opener at Golden State.
They would’ve faced each other in last season’s playoffs had the Suns pushed past Denver. They instead watched the Nuggets sweep the Lakers to reach the finals.
James is returning, as expected, Anthony Davis has agreed to a three-year, $186-million extension and the Lakers are considered a championship contender as are the Suns.
Time to find out who is a more legit challenger to the Nuggets.
Also check out
Christmas Day vs. Mavericks – Anytime Luka Doncic and Booker are on the same court, fireworks.
Jan. 3 vs. Clippers – Booker versus Paul George. Hopefully Kawhi Leonard is healthy.
Jan. 31 at Nets – Durant makes his first return to Brooklyn since trade.
Feb. 4 at Wizards – Beal back in Washington D.C., where he started his career and spent 11 seasons.
Nov. 22 vs. Warriors – Paul’s return to Phoenix after a three-year playoff run highlighted by reaching 2021 finals.
Oct. 31 vs. Spurs – First look at top overall pick and generational talent, Victor Wembanyama.
Feb. 6 vs. Bucks – Any matchup against two-time NBA MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo is a big deal.
Dec. 9 In-Season championship game – Will the Suns make it to Las Vegas? Players on the winning team will receive $500,000 each.
Have opinion about current state of the Suns? Reach Suns Insider Duane Rankin at dmrankin@gannett.com or contact him at 480-787-1240. Follow him on Twitter at @DuaneRankin.
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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Denver Nuggets, LA Lakers showdowns mark top 5 games for Phoenix Suns
