Warriors Want to Honor Suns Forward Kevin Durant

When the Phoenix Suns visit the Golden State Warriors for the NBA's opening night, Kevin Durant will be honored.

When the Phoenix Suns visit the Golden State Warriors to open the 2023-24 NBA season on Oct. 24, there will be no shortage of storylines for fans to follow.

Two top teams in the conference will fight to claim what each believes to be their rightful spot as kings of the West following the failure to reach past the second round last postseason. Both believe their re-tooled rosters can push them over the reigning NBA champion Denver Nuggets. 

Chris Paul will be facing Phoenix for the first time since being traded in the offseason, and Kevin Durant will also be making his return to the Bay for the first time since leaving - at least in front of fans. 

Warriors GM Mike Dunleavy recently said the organization wants to properly honor Durant, who helped Golden State reach two NBA titles during his short stint with the team. 

“I think the combo of him returning and us opening against a formidable opponent should make the building pretty electric,” Dunleavy told 95.7 The Game. 

“We gotta figure out a way to appropriately honor Kevin. He hasn’t actually played in Chase Center since departing. I know it’s been a while, but anytime great players like that who have given up so much to the franchise come back, you gotta figure out a way to honor them. We’ll do that appropriately.”

Two nights later (Oct. 26), Durant will also be taking on Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James for the first time since 2018. Durant has dealt with injuries and a move out East briefly with the Brooklyn Nets before coming to Phoenix.

Yet before that happens, the Warriors will try their best to give Durant a deserved thank you for his service to the organization.