Nuggets vs Suns: A Playoff Showdown on the Horizon
As the NBA regular season winds down, every game carries significant weight. Tuesday, March 24th, 2026, features a compelling slate of four games, with two matchups holding particularly high stakes for playoff contention. The Denver Nuggets and Phoenix Suns face off in a Western Conference battle that could dramatically alter the playoff picture.
Western Conference Heat: Nuggets and Suns Clash
The nightcap out west pits the Phoenix Suns against the Denver Nuggets (11 p.m. ET, NBC/Peacock). Denver currently finds themselves tied with Minnesota for fourth place, just a half-game ahead of Houston. This trio has established a comfortable lead over the seventh-place Suns. However, the Suns aren’t giving up without a fight.
ESPN’s Basketball Power Index (BPI) gives the Suns less than a 3% chance of climbing out of the play-in tournament. A win against the Nuggets on Tuesday night is almost essential for their hopes of securing a top-six seed. This game is a must-watch for fans eager to see a potential playoff team make a late-season push.
Eastern Conference Battles and Play-In Scenarios
In the East, the Orlando Magic visit the Cleveland Cavaliers (8 p.m. ET, NBC/Peacock). Cleveland has won three straight but still trails the New York Knicks by 2½ games for the third seed. Orlando, meanwhile, is battling for a play-in spot, currently holding eighth place, 1½ games behind the sixth-place Atlanta Hawks.
The Bottom of the Barrel: Lottery Implications
For teams out of playoff contention, the focus shifts to the NBA Draft. The Sacramento Kings are visiting the Charlotte Hornets, and their current position with the league’s fourth-worst record gives them only a 12.5% chance of landing the No. 1 pick in June’s draft. The Kings have gone 5-5 in their past 10 games, allowing teams like the Brooklyn Nets, Washington Wizards, and Indiana Pacers to surpass them in the standings.
Current Playoff Matchups (Projected)
Eastern Conference
- 1. Detroit Pistons vs. 8. Play-in winner TBD
- 2. Boston Celtics vs. 7. Play-in winner TBD
- 3. New York Knicks vs. 6. Atlanta Hawks
- 4. Cleveland Cavaliers vs. 5. Toronto Raptors
Eastern Conference Play-In
- 7. Philadelphia 76ers vs. 8. Orlando Magic
- 9. Miami Heat vs. 10. Charlotte Hornets
Western Conference
- 1. Oklahoma City Thunder vs. 8. Play-in winner TBD
- 2. San Antonio Spurs vs. 7. Play-in winner TBD
- 3. Los Angeles Lakers vs. 6. Houston Rockets
- 4. Denver Nuggets vs. 5. Minnesota Timberwolves
Western Conference Play-In
- 7. Phoenix Suns vs. 8. LA Clippers
- 9. Portland Trail Blazers vs. 10. Golden State Warriors
Tuesday’s Schedule
- Sacramento Kings at Charlotte Hornets, 7 p.m. ET
- New Orleans Pelicans at New York Knicks, 7:30 p.m. ET
- Orlando Magic at Cleveland Cavaliers, 8 p.m. ET (NBC/Peacock)
- Denver Nuggets at Phoenix Suns, 11 p.m. ET (NBC/Peacock)
Recent Scores (March 23rd, 2026)
Pistons 113, Lakers 110
Pacers 128, Magic 126
Thunder 123, 76ers 103
Spurs 136, Heat 111
Hawks 146, Grizzlies 107
Bulls 132, Rockets 124
Raptors 143, Jazz 127
Warriors 137, Mavericks 131 (OT)
Trail Blazers 134, Nets 99
Clippers 129, Bucks 96
Draft Lottery Outlook
The NBA draft lottery will determine the order of the first four picks. All 14 teams that miss the playoffs are eligible. The three teams with the worst records each have a 14% chance of winning the lottery. Several trades could impact which teams ultimately hold which picks, including deals involving the Atlanta Hawks, Indiana Pacers, Utah Jazz, and Portland Trail Blazers. Learn more about the NBA Draft Lottery rules.
