Denver vs. Phoenix: NBA 2025-26 Season Preview

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Suns’ Slow Start: Is Phoenix rebuilding or regressing After Durant Trade?

By [Your name/archysports Staff Writer]

October 24, 2025

Devin Booker of the Phoenix Suns
Devin Booker faces a new reality with the Phoenix suns. (Getty Images)

The 2025-2026 NBA season is just getting underway, and the Phoenix Suns are already facing questions. After a tumultuous offseason that saw the departure of superstar Kevin Durant, the early returns suggest a team that isn’t exactly firing on all cylinders. Their upcoming matchup against the formidable Denver Nuggets, scheduled for the early hours of Saturday, October 25th (3:00 AM Italian time, wich translates to Friday evening in the US), presents a significant early-season test.

Nuggets’ Rocky Start, Suns’ Mixed Bag

The Denver Nuggets, fresh off their championship aspirations, have also experienced a less-than-ideal opening. They stumbled in their season debut, falling to the Golden State Warriors in a hard-fought overtime thriller, 137-131. This isn’t the dominant start many expected from Nikola Jokic and company, hinting that even the league’s elite can face early-season adversity.

Meanwhile, the Phoenix Suns are navigating a decidedly different landscape. Their season record currently stands at one win and one loss, but the nature of their defeats is raising eyebrows. Most recently, they suffered a significant blow, dropping a heavy decision to the Los angeles Clippers. This performance, coupled with the offseason departures, paints a picture of a team in transition, a stark contrast to the star-studded roster that vied for championships just a season ago.

The Post-Durant Era: A New Identity for Phoenix?

The departure of Kevin Durant to Houston,and Bradley Beal’s move to the Los Angeles Clippers,has fundamentally reshaped the Phoenix Suns. This isn’t just a minor roster adjustment; it’s a seismic shift that has left many wondering about the team’s immediate trajectory. Are the suns entering a full-blown rebuild, or are they attempting to pivot to a new competitive model around Devin Booker?

The early struggles suggest the latter is proving to be a significant challenge. Without the offensive firepower and defensive presence of Durant,the Suns are finding it difficult to consistently compete. This situation is reminiscent of other teams that have undergone major roster overhauls, where the adjustment period can be lengthy and painful. Think of the early days of the Philadelphia 76ers’ “Process” or the Oklahoma City Thunder’s post-superstar era – periods where patience was a virtue, and immediate success was not guaranteed.

Head-to-Head History: A Glimpse into the Rivalry

Looking at the recent history between the Denver Nuggets and Phoenix Suns offers some context, though the current Suns squad is vastly different. The last five meetings showcase a competitive, albeit frequently enough one-sided, rivalry:

  • March 8, 2025: Denver Nuggets – Phoenix Suns 149-141 (OT)
  • February 9, 2025: Phoenix Suns – Denver Nuggets 105-122
  • December 26, 2024: phoenix Suns – Denver Nuggets 110-100
  • December 24, 2024: Denver Nuggets – Phoenix Suns 117-90
  • March 28, 2024: Denver Nuggets – Phoenix Suns 97-104

While the Suns have managed victories, the Nuggets have often held the upper hand

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Sofia Reyes

Sofia Reyes covers basketball and baseball for Archysport, specializing in statistical analysis and player development stories. With a background in sports data science, Sofia translates advanced metrics into compelling narratives that both casual fans and analytics enthusiasts can appreciate. She covers the NBA, WNBA, MLB, and international basketball competitions, with a particular focus on emerging talent and how front offices build winning rosters through data-driven decisions.

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