Golden State Warriors vs Phoenix Suns Picks and Predictions for Saturday October 24 2026

Golden State visits Phoenix on Saturday with both teams looking for their first victory. The Warriors played Memphis on Friday, while the Suns have been off since Wednesday’s loss at Portland. Tipoff at Mortgage Matchup Center is scheduled for 10:00 p.m. ET. Phoenix is my projected winner, but our betting selections remain Golden State +7.5 and Under 224.5.

Browse the complete daily schedule and our other selections on the NBA picks and predictions page.

Warriors vs Suns Game Information

The spread varies by sportsbook. This selection specifically uses Golden State +7.5; +6.5 provides less protection in a close finish.

Golden State Needs More Reliable Offense Around Curry

Golden State fell to 0-2 after losing 111-108 to Memphis on Friday, following a 127-105 opening defeat at the Lakers. The Warriors are 0-1 on the road and now travel to Phoenix for the second night of a back-to-back. Friday’s closer result gives them something to build on, but the schedule leaves little time to address the problems behind the winless start.

The Warriors have averaged 106.5 points while allowing 119.0. Two games are insufficient to establish their true offensive level, yet the immediate concern is clear: they need more possessions that produce a quality shot without requiring a difficult individual finish. Against Phoenix, moving the defense and attacking available space should be more useful than repeatedly settling for contested jumpers.

Stephen Curry scored 23 points in the opener against Los Angeles. His shooting remains central to the matchup, but Golden State also needs teammates to capitalize when Phoenix sends extra attention his way. Saturday’s injury submission was pending on the overnight report reviewed for this preview. Any rest decision or change in availability among the primary creators would materially affect the case for taking the points.

Phoenix Has the Rest Advantage, but Plenty to Fix

Phoenix is 0-1 after losing 124-83 at Portland on Wednesday. Saturday is its home opener, and the Suns have had two days without a game to prepare. That is a meaningful scheduling advantage against a traveling opponent that played Friday. It gives Phoenix a reasonable case to win, although it does not erase how poorly the opener went.

The Suns scored only 83 points and allowed 124 in Portland. Treating that one game as their expected production would be a mistake, but assuming a complete offensive turnaround would be just as aggressive. Phoenix needs better possessions from the opening tip, including quicker recognition of help defense and fewer attacks that end with difficult shots. Its defense also needs to make Golden State work rather than give an opponent on short rest easy scoring chances.

Devin Booker led Phoenix with 23 points in the opener. He gives the Suns their clearest source of dependable shot creation, but the supporting offense must improve for Phoenix to pull away. Mark Williams remains unavailable following shoulder surgery, while Oso Ighodaro’s injury creates another frontcourt concern. That uncertainty matters because missed defensive rebounds could give Golden State extra chances even when its first shot is well defended.

Warriors vs Suns Statistical Comparison

Golden State’s figures cover two games; Phoenix’s figures cover one. These unequal, very small samples provide context rather than a reliable forecast.

Where This Game Gets Decided

Golden State Warriors vs Phoenix Suns Picks and Predictions

Spread Pick: Golden State Warriors +7.5

I’m taking Golden State +7.5 while projecting Phoenix to win. The Suns have the home floor and a clear rest advantage, but covering this spread requires them to create sustained separation after an opener in which almost nothing worked. Golden State does not need a complete turnaround to remain within seven; it needs better possession quality and enough scoring around Curry to avoid extended droughts. The biggest threats are a rest-related absence and Phoenix taking control physically against a tired opponent. My projection has the Suns winning by five, which supports +7.5. The preference becomes weaker at +6.5.

Total Pick: Under 224.5

I lean under because neither offense has yet shown enough consistency to make a high-scoring game my default expectation. Golden State arrives on short rest, and Phoenix still needs to demonstrate that its supporting offense can produce better opportunities than it found in Portland. That does not mean repeating the Suns’ 83-point performance; my projection gives them a substantial improvement to 114. The danger is that both defenses continue allowing efficient shots, with transition baskets and second chances overcoming uneven half-court execution. I project 223 combined points, so this is a narrow lean. Golden State +7.5 is the stronger play.

Final Prediction

Final Picks: Golden State Warriors +7.5 and Under 224.5.

Prepared October 24, 2026, using completed October 23 results. Picks use the listed numbers. Odds, injury designations, rest decisions and lineups may change. Early-season statistics reflect very small samples.