The Phoenix Suns and Golden State Warriors found themselves squaring off for the second time in three days on Saturday night, December 20, 2025, at San Francisco’s Chase Center. Both teams entered this Western Conference clash with plenty to prove, but also with depleted lineups—injuries and absences casting a long shadow over the much-anticipated rematch. The Suns, riding a wave of momentum after their nail-biting victory over the Warriors in Phoenix on Thursday, arrived with a 15-12 record. The Warriors, meanwhile, were aiming to snap back from that frustrating one-point loss and improve on their 13-15 standing.
But as the opening tip approached, the storylines swirling around this matchup were as much about who wasn’t playing as who was. For the Suns, Grayson Allen was officially ruled out due to right knee soreness, marking his 10th absence of the season. Allen had last suited up against the Lakers on December 14, posting a solid stat line of 13 points, seven assists, and three steals, but ongoing injury woes have hampered his availability. Seven of Allen’s missed games have been due to a right quad contusion, another to illness, and now two for the knee issue. His absence meant Phoenix would again have to shuffle its rotation, with Royce O’Neale expected to step into the starting lineup and increased minutes likely for Ryan Dunn and Jordan Goodwin.
Isaiah Livers, another key piece for the Suns, was listed as available despite a right hip strain that had sidelined him for the first of these back-to-back games against Golden State. Jordan Goodwin, who’d played the hero on Thursday by sinking the decisive free throw with 0.4 seconds left, was cleared to play but continued to sport a protective facemask for his sprained jaw. Meanwhile, Jalen Green remained out with a right hamstring strain and wasn’t expected back until after Christmas, and Koby Brea was away on G League assignment.
On the other side, the Warriors were also feeling the sting of missing personnel. Veteran big man Al Horford was ruled out for the ninth time in ten games due to persistent sciatic nerve irritation. Horford, who hasn’t seen the court since December 4, is enduring one of the toughest stretches of his career, averaging a career-low 5.6 points in 21.5 minutes per game. Seth Curry, the sharpshooting brother of Stephen Curry, was a late scratch before Thursday’s contest and remained sidelined on Saturday with left glute injury management, missing his sixth straight game.
Perhaps the most notable late development was the absence of Jonathan Kuminga. Initially listed as questionable, Kuminga was downgraded to out due to illness, leaving Golden State without another versatile forward. The Warriors’ depth would be tested, with Quinten Post likely seeing increased minutes off the bench behind Draymond Green.
Thursday night’s contest in Phoenix had been a dramatic, physical affair, ultimately decided by a controversial foul call in the dying seconds. With 0.4 seconds left, a whistle sent Suns guard Jordan Goodwin to the line, where he calmly sank the go-ahead free throw to secure a one-point victory for Phoenix. Warriors head coach Steve Kerr didn’t mince words afterward, expressing his frustration with the officials: “Tonight we executed really well. It’s hard to believe the game was decided on that call. An airball that hits the side of the backboard. Guys behind the bench told me Moses got all ball. Everybody’s tangled up. To me, it better be a foul to decide the game on a play like that. So disappointing that we didn’t get to go to overtime because I thought our guys executed and did a great job in the last few minutes of giving ourselves a chance.”
For the Suns, Thursday’s win was a testament to their resilience. Devin Booker, who led the way with 25 points and two assists, spoke to the team’s gritty identity: “I’m sure it’s on the scouting report that we’re gonna play hard. I think a couple coaches postgame have had comments about it. I’m on the side that we have a lot of talent over here, too. The games have been a little junkyard and physical, but we have some true hoopers over here. So that’s a good combination to have both of those things.” Dillon Brooks was another standout, chipping in 24 points and seven rebounds to help push the Suns over the line.
For Golden State, Jimmy Butler shouldered much of the offensive load in the previous meeting, pouring in 31 points and grabbing three rebounds. Stephen Curry contributed across the board with 15 points, nine rebounds, and seven assists. Despite their efforts, the Warriors couldn’t quite overcome the late-game drama and were left searching for answers heading into Saturday’s rematch.
Both teams’ injury reports shaped the narrative heading into tipoff. The Suns’ depth was tested yet again, with O’Neale, Dunn, and Goodwin all needing to step up in Allen’s absence. Livers’ return offered some hope, but the continued absence of Jalen Green and Koby Brea left Phoenix with limited backcourt options. For the Warriors, the continued absence of Horford and Curry, now joined by Kuminga, meant more minutes for role players and a greater reliance on their stars to carry the load.
Beyond the action on the court, trade rumors added another layer of intrigue. Golden State’s Jonathan Kuminga has long been the subject of speculation, with the Suns at one point expressing interest in acquiring the forward. However, as NBA insider John Gambadoro noted, “In a nutshell there is a lot less interest now. The Suns original interest was based on having him on a reasonable contract for 4 years. Now that he signed with the Warriors, after this season it is basically a one-year deal. He can cash in for a much bigger pay day in 2027. So not so sure the Suns would go in based on that. So interest is a lot less.” With the NBA’s trade deadline looming on February 5, 2026, it remains to be seen whether either franchise will make a big move.
As the ball went up at 6:30 p.m. MST, fans on both sides tuned in—some hoping for redemption, others looking to build on recent success. The Suns’ tenacity and the Warriors’ determination set the stage for another physical, high-stakes battle, even as injuries forced both teams to dig deep into their benches. With so much still up in the air, the outcome remained uncertain as the night unfolded at Chase Center.
One thing’s for sure: in a season defined by adversity, both the Phoenix Suns and Golden State Warriors continue to show that grit, hustle, and adaptability are the keys to surviving the NBA’s relentless grind. The rivalry remains fierce, and as the Western Conference playoff picture starts to take shape, every game—and every absence—matters just a little bit more.
