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Photos: Warriors fans flock to season opener at Chase Center with high hopes

Two brothers pose for a portrait Tuesday at Thrive City outside the Chase Center in San Francisco, where the Warriors played against the Phoenix Suns in their season opener. | Source: Amaya Edwards for The Standard

The Golden State Warriors kicked off the 2023-24 NBA regular season Tuesday evening by hosting the Phoenix Suns in San Francisco.

Bernice Scott poses for a portrait at Thrive City outside Chase Center, where the Warriors played against the Phoenix Suns in their season opener. | Source: Amaya Edwards for The Standard

The game at Chase Center, along with being the season opener, marked the first game former Warriors star Kevin Durant played at the arena with fans watching—and the excitement was palpable.

Fans wait in line at Thrive City outside the Chase Center to see the Warriors kick off the regular season with a home game against the Phoenix Suns. | Source: Amaya Edwards for The Standard

After winning two championships with Golden State and then leaving in 2019, the same year the new arena opened, Durant played a game there in the 2020-21 season—but fans weren’t in attendance due to Covid protocols.

Debbie Canning throws up a peace sign during the Warriors home season opener. | Source: Amaya Edwards for The Standard

The Warriors finished the 2022-23 season by bowing out in the Western Conference semifinals against the Los Angeles Lakers after winning the championship the season prior.

Kelvin and Melvina Lewis dance while waiting in line to watch the Warrior’s season opener on Tuesday. | Source: Amaya Edwards for The Standard

Dubs fans waited in long lines to witness Tuesday’s game, where they got a limited-edition opening night shirts to memorialize the occasion.

Cupcakin’ Bake Shop in Thrive City sold Warriors-themed desserts for the team's season opener. | Source: Amaya Edwards for The Standard

Beyond KD’s appearance, fans said they looked forward to yet another win by the Dubs.

Ethan Ashby was one of thousands who showed up to Tuesday’s game with high hopes for his favorite team.

“As long as the Warriors have Steph, Klay and Dray, I feel like they’re in contention,” he said. “Now, we can’t expect it to be like it was with the KD years, where we were winning, like you know, every time, but they’re definitely going to be in the mix, so I’m optimistic for this year.”