Prediction: Phoenix Suns cool down, fall to Nuggets, Kings in December

Phoenix will face the Denver Nuggets on Dec. 1, the first game since losing to them in the Western Conference semifinals in six games last season. This is Denver’s only visit to Footprint Center in the 2023-24 season.

The Suns should come into this showdown hot, but it’ll be their first game after a three-game road trip that ends in Toronto.

It's not the only December highlight. Nearly two weeks later, Mikal Bridges and Cam Johnson return to Phoenix for the first time since being part of the blockbuster Kevin Durant deal that sent them to Brooklyn.

Two weeks after that, it's a Christmas Day game versus Luka Doncic, Kyrie Irving and the Dallas Mavericks.

'Tis the freaking season.

Here's the next in our series breaking down the Suns' month-by-month schedule with predictions:

December (7-5)

Dec. 1 – Denver Nuggets (L).

Dec. 2 – Memphis Grizzlies (W).

Dec. 4-9 – In-Season Tournament.

Dec. 12 – Golden State Warriors (W).

Dec. 13 – Brooklyn Nets (W).

Dec. 15 – New York Knicks (L).

Dec. 17 – Washington Wizards (W).

Dec. 19 – at Portland Trail Blazers (W).

Dec. 22 – at Sacramento Kings (L).

Dec. 25 – Dallas Mavericks (W).

Dec. 27 – at Houston Rockets (L).

Dec. 29 – Charlotte Hornets (W).

Dec. 31 – Orlando Magic (L).

Statement: Denver is the most anticipated and toughest matchup this month, but that road test against the high-paced Kings?

De’Aaron Fox is a problem, Domantas Sabonis has a continual motor and Malik Monk is fire off the bench. Remember, Sacramento won its last two games against Phoenix in taking the Pacific Division last season. The Kings will be sky-high for this one.

Marquee matchup: Jusuf Nurkic vs. Nikola Jokic. The two-time NBA MVP and reigning finals MVP dominated Deandre Ayton in last season’s playoff.

With the Suns trading Ayton to the Blazers less than a week before training camp, Nurkic now has that daunting task of defending his former teammate.

Nurkic and Jokic were in Denver together before the Suns traded Nurkic to Portland during the 2016-17 season.

In-Season Tournament: Phoenix should finish 3-1 in group play with wins over the Jazz, Blazers and Grizzlies and a loss to the Lakers. Not knowing who they’ll face after that, let’s say the Suns go 1-1 in two games and don’t reach the Dec. 9 title game in Las Vegas.

Slipups: Rockets or Magic – or both. Phoenix will be due for a letdown.

Record through 32 games: 21-11.

Have opinion about current state of the Suns? Reach Suns Insider Duane Rankin at [email protected] or contact him at 480-787-1240. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter, at @DuaneRankin.