Phoenix opens Cup play Friday on three days of rest against a Denver team with one, then visits Golden State before three home games in four nights. At 1-2 and 11th in the West, the Suns sit a game out of sixth, so this week can move them fast in either direction.
Friday against Denver. The Cup opener tips at 7 p.m. Friday at Mortgage Matchup Center on Arizona's Family. Denver arrives on one day of rest, on its second road stop in a row, after three games in the past week. Nikola Jokic is averaging 22.0 points, 10.5 rebounds and 9.0 assists through four games.
Nuggets missing bodies. Cameron Johnson, Alpha Diallo, Julian Strawther and Spencer Jones are all listed out for Denver. Arizona Sports reported Johnson as questionable for his return to Phoenix. Jamal Murray is scoring 22.5 a night in 38.5 minutes, and the Nuggets are 2-2 with a -3.7 net rating. They can be had.
Ighodaro near a return. Oso Ighodaro is day-to-day with an oblique injury, Friday is his estimated return, and Arizona Sports reported him upgraded to questionable. His minutes have climbed 12 a night when he plays shorthanded stretches. Mark Williams stays out with the left shoulder injury, with an estimated return of February 3.
Heat check on Brooks. Over the last three games Dillon Brooks has played 39 minutes and scored 28.7 points a night, eight minutes above his usual load. Jalen Green's minutes are up 13 a night over that stretch. At $36.3M, Green's 14.0 points through three games is the salary line under the most heat.
Monday at Golden State. The week's lone trip is Monday at the Warriors, who sit tenth at 2-3. Phoenix beat them 131-122 on October 24 when Devin Booker dropped 43. The worry is his touch from deep since then: Booker's three-point mark sits at 22.2 percent through three games.
Back-to-back at home. Portland visits Wednesday, two weeks after beating Phoenix 124-83 on October 21, the worst night of the young season. Orlando comes in Thursday on the second night of that back-to-back. Houston closes the week Saturday. Three home games in four nights is where a 27-55 pace either gets fixed or confirmed.
The playmaking question. Hoops Rumors and Arizona Sports both carried reports of unrest inside the team over the lack of a true point guard. Luke Kennard told Arizona Sports the position will be fine. Collin Gillespie leads the rotation at 4.3 assists. A home-heavy week is the place to back Kennard up.
What time do the Suns play the Nuggets, and what channel is it on?
Phoenix hosts Denver on Friday, October 30, at 7 p.m. at Mortgage Matchup Center. The game airs on Arizona's Family.
Is Oso Ighodaro playing against Denver?
He is day-to-day with an oblique injury, and Friday is his estimated return. Arizona Sports reported him upgraded to questionable.
