The Suns Game arrives at an important moment for the Denver Nuggets. On Friday night, they open the 2026 NBA Cup against the Phoenix Suns after beginning the 2026-27 season at 2-2, and the margin for error is already thin in a four-game Group Play schedule.
This is not just another early-season matchup. In the NBA Cup, every group game matters, and with the winner's players set to receive just above $600,000, there is a real incentive to treat the night seriously from the outset. For the Nuggets, it is also a chance to show that their offense can find a steadier level after an uneven start.
Why the Nuggets need a cleaner scoring night
Last season, the Nuggets had the NBA's top-ranked offense. This season, they have not yet looked like a team with that same level of control on a nightly basis. Their high point has been the 141 points they scored in an overtime win over the New Orleans Pelicans, but they did not score more than 114 points in any other game.
That is why the Suns Game feels so important. The Nuggets have shown they can explode for points, but they still need more consistency if they are going to set the tone in Group Play and avoid making the path harder than it needs to be.
Jamal Murray could be the difference
One player who stands out in that setting is Jamal Murray. He is one of the key reasons the Nuggets can still believe they can find another gear on Friday night, with the matchup presenting a chance for him to score 35 or more points.
That kind of output would give Denver exactly what it needs in a game that matters beyond the usual regular-season context. Outside of the rhythm of the normal schedule, the NBA Cup asks teams to be sharper, quicker and more efficient, and Murray's scoring load could be decisive if the Nuggets are to start Group Play the right way.
What the Suns are giving Denver to think about
The Phoenix Suns add another layer to the challenge. They have allowed at least 122 points in every game this season, which suggests there may be scoring opportunities if the Nuggets can move the ball well and keep pressure on from the start.
That does not mean the result will be straightforward. But it does mean the Nuggets have a clear route into the game: play with tempo, lean on Jamal Murray and Nikola Jokic, and avoid allowing the Suns to turn the night into a scramble.
With the NBA Cup and the Nuggets both in the picture, this opener already carries weight. A win would put Denver in a stronger early position in Group Play, while also giving a clearer sense of where their offense stands after a mixed first four games.
