WHO: Phoenix Suns (2-1) vs. Denver Nuggets (0-2)

When: 5:30 p.m. Arizona time

Where: Ball Arena, Denver, CO

Regard: ESPN

Things looked a bit dull in their first preseason home loss to the Detroit Pistons – admittedly the Suns were missing key players Devin Booker, Jusuf Nurkic and Grayson Allen – but a trip to the Colorado mountains in Denver gives Phoenix the opportunity to build on that There are already positive signs.

Denver has yet to win in the preseason and has played two straight games against the defending champion Boston Celtics (who appear to be in regular season form in all respects). So the time is right to build on the good things we’ve seen so far with Beal, Durant, Tyus Jones and the newbies – Dunn and Oso.

We should look forward to more of the same tonight!

Can the Suns keep the Nuggets winless?

Will we see the bench mob have a breakout game?

Were the disjointed signs we saw in defense and intensity just a preseason blip?

Who will Royce O’Neale battle for possession and a jump ball next?

Starting lineups

Injury report

Suns

Jusuf Nurkic – OUT (middle finger)

Grayson Allen – OUT (Achilles)

Devin Booker – OUT (ankle pain)

Josh Okogie – OUT (thigh soreness)

Nuggets

DaRon Holmes II – OUT (Achilles)

Peyton Watson – OUT (Thigh)

What you should pay attention to

While Phoenix has missed the performances of key players, the Denver Nuggets are experiencing their own growing pains in this preseason phase. Key pieces like KCP – Kentavious Caldwell Pope – leave a starting guard-sized hole in the lineup.

For more background, note the tone used by Denver fans and others regarding the deterioration of their roster and the apparent disconnect between the coach and owners: Michael Malone, Nuggets executives disagree.

We can certainly see any disharmony building in Denver, starting with this preseason matchup!

Key to a Suns win

Ultimately, both the Suns and Denver are looking to build toward a successful regular season and advance deep into the playoffs in April 2025. But a victory here? It’s a matter of getting comfortable early and preventing Denver from developing a dynamic offense through Nurkic.

On paper, the Suns appear to be the better team, but with them being at home and familiar with the altitude, this could be a rock preseason matchup. I’m hoping that when both teams go to the bench, we’ll see a rejuvenated Suns squad come in and kill it all.

forecast

Suns win modestly – Denver continues to struggle with personnel problems:

Suns 113, Nuggets 102

Royce O’Neals scores 2-0 Jump ball wrestlingtook one away from Christian Braun.