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Phoenix Suns insider gives prediction for 2025-26 season

Arizona Republic writer Duane Rankin gives his prediction for the Phoenix Suns’ 2025-26 season, including win-loss record and playoff chances.

  • The game tips off at 6 p.m., and will be televised by Arizona’s Family and Arizona’s Family Sports.
  • The Nuggets (0-1) began the season with a 137-131 loss Thursday at Golden State.

DENVER – The Phoenix Suns continue their three-game road trip Saturday night, Oct. 25, against the Denver Nuggets at Ball Arena in the second of a back-to-back.

The game tips off at 6 p.m., and will be televised by Arizona’s Family and Arizona’s Family Sports.

The Suns suffered their first loss of the season Friday, Oct. 24, falling 129-102 to the Los Angeles Clippers. James Harden scored 26 of his 30 points in the first half and Kawhi Leonard posted 27 in leading the Clippers (1-1) to their first win in their home opener.

Dillon Brooks paced the Suns (1-1) with 21 points while Devin Booker added 18 points on just 5-of-10 shooting and seven assists.

Phoenix wil be without Jalen Green for Saturday’s game. He hasn’t played this season due to a right hamstring strain. Green is day-to-day as the Suns end the road trip Monday against the Utah Jazz, who beat the Clippers in their season opener, 129-108. The Jazz (1-1) lost Friday to the Kings (1-1), who fell to the Suns in their season opener.

The Nuggets (0-1) began the season with a 137-131 overtime loss Thursday at Golden State.

Check back at azcentral.com for updates on the Suns-Nuggets game.

Williams added to Suns injury list

The Phoenix Suns are down two key players for their third game of the season.

Jalen Green remains out with a right hamstring strain. He wasn’t expected to play against Denver Nuggets in the second of a back-to-back. He didn’t play in the preseason and has yet to see action in the regular season.

Green is day-to-day as he hadn’t been ruled out for Monday’s game against the Utah Jazz going into the three-game road trip that started Friday against the Los Angeles Clippers.

The Suns will also be without Mark Williams, who is listed as out with right knee injury management. Williams missed all preseason, but he played the first two games of the regular season.

Williams played a total of 106 games in three seasons with the Charlotte Hornets. The Suns traded two first-round picks to the Hornets in landing Williams during the 2025 NBA Draft. The 7-footer has been on a target number of minutes coming off the bench. Williams played 24 minutes in Wednesday’s season opener Phoenix won over the Sacramento Kings, but he only registered 14 in Friday’s loss to the Los Angeles Clippers.

Williams had six points and 11 rebounds in the opener. Two nights later, he only scored two points on 1-of-5 shooting, grabbed six rebounds and picked up four fouls.

Oso Ighodaro has started at center for the Suns. Phoenix’s depth at center will be tested going up against three-time MVP, Nuggets big Nikola Jokic.

Have opinions about the current state of the Suns? Reach Suns Insider Duane Rankin at dmrankin@gannett.com or contact him at 480-810-5518. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter, at @DuaneRankin.

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