1. Denver Nuggets
The reigning NBA champions were the first team to secure a playoff spot in the West. Even though the Denver Nuggets lost a pivotal player in Bruce Brown, they still excelled and proved why they won the 2023 NBA championship.
Nikola Jokic is still at the top of his game and has an excellent supporting cast. Jamal Murray is playing like an All-Star this season, averaging 20 points for the third time in his career. The Nuggets also have Aaron Gordon and Michael Porter Jr., both have improved defensively.
The Nuggets have finished their season series against the Suns, and both teams had equal results, splitting the series 2-2. Even with that, people shouldn't underestimate Denver. Last season, the two teams met in the second round, and they showed how much better they were as a collective.
If the Suns secure the eighth seed after the Play-In Tournament, it'll be inevitable to have the Nuggets as their first-round matchup. This is why they'll have to work hard and get out of the Play-In spot to have a chance to play against an inexperienced Oklahoma City Thunder team.