We’re two days into March, and the Denver Nuggets are 37-24, fifth place in the West, just half a game ahead of the No. 6 Lakers. They’re clinging to their top-six seed. If it weren’t for Devin Booker and Dillon Brooks’ injury absences, the No. 7 Suns would be even more of a threat.<\/p>\n
Imagine knowing at the beginning of the season that, as a fan, you’d have to keep a close eye on Phoenix in the standings. That’s not supposed to be a slight at the Suns, who have been an unexpected surprise in the West after trading Kevin Durant and waiving Bradley Beal. They embraced a culture change – one they’ve benefitted from.<\/p>\n
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This isn’t about Phoenix, but about Denver. Yes, the Nuggets have dealt with more injury blows than the Suns, but they were supposed to finish as a top team in the West. They still can, as they’re one game behind the No. 3 Rockets, but time is ticking with a little over a month left in the season.<\/p>\n
Denver has played uninspiring basketball these past few weeks. Nikola Joki’s return after missing 16 games with a hyperextended knee didn’t serve as the reset the Nuggets needed. They’re 2-4 since returning from the All-Star break, losing their last two games, and are in danger of falling into play-in range.<\/p>\n
Nuggets are only 2.5 games ahead of the No. 7 Suns<\/p>\n
You can’t write Phoenix off because of its injuries, as Booker, who has missed the last four games with a hip injury, should return sometime this week. Jordan Ott said so on Monday after the guard practiced five-on-five. The Suns have been abysmal without Booker and Brooks, but having the former back in the lineup will be a big boost.<\/p>\n
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Brooks will remain out until the end of the month or the beginning of April with a broken hand, so if it comes down to the very end (and it looks like it will), he might be available to push Phoenix over the finish line.<\/p>\n
Denver’s remaining strength of schedule isn’t on its side, either. Literally. The Nuggets have the toughest remaining schedule<\/a> in the league. Based on the way they’ve looked, there is no reason to believe they’ll make it through just a little unscathed.<\/p>\n