It’s late January 2026, and if you’ve been watching the Western Conference standings lately, you know things are getting weird. Usually, a matchup between the Phoenix Suns and the Golden State Warriors is the game everyone circles on the calendar months in advance. It’s the star power. The history. The inevitable Kevin Durant vs. Stephen Curry storylines that never seem to get old.
But this year? The vibe is different.
We aren't just looking at two "superteams" trading blows at the top. Instead, we’re seeing two heavyweight franchises trying to figure out how to stay relevant while younger, faster teams like OKC and San Antonio are suddenly the ones setting the pace. Honestly, watching Suns vs Golden State right now feels more like a chess match between two aging masters who know their time at the top might be slipping.
What’s Actually Happening with Suns vs Golden State This Season?
Forget the 2017 comparisons. That was a lifetime ago in NBA years.
Currently, the Suns are sitting at 23-15, hanging onto that 7th spot in the West. They’ve been erratic. One night, Devin Booker looks like the best shooting guard on the planet—like his 27-point performance against the Knicks just yesterday—and the next, the team loses to the Pistons in a game they should have handled by double digits.
Then you have the Warriors. They are 21-18.
They’re hovering just above the play-in line, and while Steph is still Steph, the roster around him feels like a construction site. We’ve seen Moses Moody start to emerge as a real scoring threat (he dropped 24 on Phoenix back in November), but the "old guard" of Draymond Green and the recently departed Klay Thompson era has left a vacuum that Jimmy Butler—who is now wearing a Warriors jersey—is trying his best to fill.
Yes, Jimmy Butler is a Warrior. It still looks weird on the highlights.
The Drama We Saw in December
If you missed the home-and-home set back in December, you missed the peak of this rivalry’s current iteration. It was messy. It was loud.
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On December 18, the Suns escaped with a 99-98 win because of a Jordan Goodwin free throw with 0.4 seconds left. Think about that for a second. In a game featuring some of the greatest scorers in history, it came down to a backup guard at the charity stripe. Steph had a rough night, shooting 3-of-13. People on Reddit were calling the Warriors "terrible" after that loss.
But two nights later? Golden State punched back.
They took a 119-116 win at Chase Center. Steph found his rhythm again, and the Warriors' bench actually outplayed the Suns' starters in the fourth quarter. This is the new reality of the Suns vs Golden State matchup: it’s no longer about which superstar goes for 50. It’s about which team’s rotation doesn’t fall apart in the final six minutes.
The Kevin Durant Factor
KD is 37 now. Let that sink in.
He’s still playing at an elite level, but the Suns are cautious with him. When he’s on, he’s still the most unguardable human being in a jersey. However, his absence in certain stretches has forced Devin Booker to carry a load that is clearly wearing him down. Booker recently missed time with a sprained left ankle, and the Suns' offense looked completely lost without him.
When these two teams meet, the defensive strategy for Steve Kerr is basically "let anyone but KD or Booker beat us." And lately, guys like Grayson Allen and Mark Williams have had to step up. Mark Williams has been a quiet bright spot for Phoenix, providing the rim protection they’ve desperately needed for years.
Why This Rivalry Feels Different in 2026
The Western Conference isn't a two-horse race anymore.
Back in the day, if you beat the Warriors, you were the favorite. Now? You beat the Warriors and you still have to worry about Shai Gilgeous-Alexander or Victor Wembanyama the next night.
- The Depth Issue: The Suns are top-heavy. They’ve always been. But in 2026, the lack of a consistent third scoring option (beyond the Booker/KD duo) is glaring.
- The Warriors' Identity Crisis: They are caught between trying to win one more for Steph and developing guys like Brandin Podziemski and Moses Moody. It’s a hard line to walk.
- The Pace: Both teams are playing slower. They aren't the track-meet squads they used to be. The games are grittier, more physical, and honestly, a lot more stressful to watch if you’re a fan of either side.
What to Watch for in the Next Matchup
The next time Suns vs Golden State pops up on your TV, keep an eye on the non-stars.
Seriously. Watch how Ryan Dunn or Collin Gillespie play for Phoenix. These are the guys who are actually deciding these games lately. The Warriors are also experimenting with Jonathan Kuminga’s role—amidst a lot of trade rumors and "hostage" talk from former players—and his energy off the bench is often the only thing that keeps Golden State in games when Steph is resting.
Also, look at the free throw line. In their recent wins, the Suns have lived there. Booker is getting to the stripe 10-15 times a game. If the Warriors can't defend without fouling, they simply don't have the offensive firepower to keep up anymore, especially if Jimmy Butler is having one of his "pass-first" nights.
Actionable Insights for the Second Half of the Season
If you’re betting on these games or just trying to win your fantasy league, here’s the reality of the situation:
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- Monitor the Suns' Injury Report: Devin Booker’s ankle is the sun (pun intended) that the Phoenix offense revolves around. If he’s out, the Suns' offensive rating drops off a cliff.
- Don't Sleep on Moses Moody: He has become the Warriors' most consistent "other" scorer. If he’s getting 30+ minutes, he’s usually hitting his overs.
- The Chase Center Advantage is Real: Even in a "down" year, the Warriors play significantly better at home. Their defensive rotations are crisper, and the role players actually hit their threes.
- Check the Back-to-Backs: Both these teams have older cores. If they are on the second night of a back-to-back, expect a heavy dose of bench players and a much slower pace.
The days of Suns vs Golden State being a guaranteed preview of the Western Conference Finals might be over for now. But as a pure basketball fan, these games are actually more interesting because they’re desperate. Neither team can afford to drop a game to the other if they want to avoid the play-in tournament. It’s high-stakes, high-stress, and in 2026, it’s exactly what the NBA needs.