SAN FRANCISCO — Chris Paul will be in the starting lineup for the Warriors’ opening night against the Phoenix Suns in place of an injured Draymond Green.
The full starting lineup includes Steph Curry, Klay Thompson, Andrew Wiggins, Kevon Looney and Paul. Green was ruled out as he recovers from a left ankle sprain. It marks the second time in his 12-year career that Green will miss the season opener and first time since the 2020-21 season when the Warriors opened against the Brooklyn Nets.
Paul, 38, will start his 1,215th straight NBA regular season game and make his Warriors’ regular season debut.
“It’s going to be exciting,” head coach Steve Kerr said before Tuesday’s game. “Obviously our fans know Chris so well, nice to have him on our side instead of the opponent’s side. We’ve always had so much respect for him and we’ve had so many battles.”
Kevin Durant will play for the first time in front of Warriors fans at Chase Center since he left in free agency after the 2019 NBA Finals. The Warriors have a 30-second video tribute for Durant to acknowledge his three seasons with the Warriors and the back-to-back titles he won with the team in 2017 and 2018.
The newest Sun Bradley Beal will miss opening night with lower back tightness, but Devin Booker — listed on the injury report with a sore toe — will play on Tuesday.