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Phoenix Suns
Denver NuggetsTip-off at 9 p.m. ET
Both teams’ seasons ended in the first round last spring, the Nuggets in six games against the Timberwolves and the Suns swept by the Thunder. The power rankings have Denver 12th and Phoenix 18th.
An early look, from the NBA’s rosters as of Oct. 7, 2026. The lineups and inactive players come on game day.
From the NBA’s player tracking over the previous two regular seasons: each leading scorer against the player on the other side who guarded him most, whatever teams they were on, compared with how he scored against everyone else. Most scorers score less against whoever guards them most, about three quarters of their rate against everyone else, so a gap like that is the usual one.
Phoenix SunsDenver NuggetsRegular season: Nuggets, 1-0
Earlier playoff series, 2016 on
Last season’s honors and lines, who is new, the rookies drafted in the first round, the second-year players and the veterans.
Phoenix SunsRosters: the NBA’s, as of Oct. 7, 2026. Records, meetings and lines: 2025-26 box scores and 2026-27’s so far. Matchups: NBA player tracking. Awards: the NBA’s. Power rankings: stat.space’s model.
No longer on the roster: Royce O'Neale (traded to the Hornets), Grayson Allen (traded to the Hornets)
Denver NuggetsNo longer on the roster: Tim Hardaway Jr. (signed with the Heat), Bruce Brown (signed with the Knicks), Peyton Watson (traded to the Cavaliers)
