Nobody expected the nightmare playoff scenario creeping toward the Nuggets

Fansided | March 9, 2026

The Nuggets are currently only 2.5 games ahead of the Suns for the play-in seventh spot.

Jan 13, 2026; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; Denver Nuggets guard Peyton Watson (8) reacts to making a basket against the New Orleans Pelicans during the fourth quarter at Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Hinton-Imagn Images | Matthew Hinton-Imagn Images

The Nuggets were a preseason favorite to compete for the top-seed in the Western Conference with the Oklahoma City Thunder. Instead, they've been the victims of the injury bug, and it's left them depleted and grasping to stay afloat for at least the fourth-seed and a home playoff series.