- The Denver Nuggets have won 5 of their last 7 games and are in a tight battle for a top-4 seed in the Western Conference playoff race.
- The Nuggets are tied with the Rockets and Timberwolves for the fourth seed, and are looking to challenge the third-seeded Lakers.
- The Suns, on the other hand, are seemingly locked into the 7th seed and will have to fight through the play-in tournament to make the playoffs.
- Both teams are dealing with key injuries, but the Nuggets are getting healthier with the return of Peyton Watson, while the Suns continue to be shorthanded.