THE KNOCKOUT ROUNDS ARE SET 🏆 Quarterfinals will take place on Tuesday, 12/9 and Wednesday, 12/10 on Prime. WHO WILL WIN the @emirates NBA Cup? pic.twitter.com/qssdDeDlrY

The Phoenix Suns looked as tired as they should be through a challenging stretch all while undermanned, the latest development a loss to the Nuggets.

Suns All-Star Devin Booker used the defending champion Thunder as a measuring stick to guage just how far his team has grown throughout the first month of the regular season. When the Suns traded Kevin Durant to the Rockets, many assumed 2025-26 would be the beginning of another rebuilding season.

The Phoenix Suns fell to the Oklahoma City Thunder in Friday's 123-119 loss, finishing at 3-1 in NBA Cup group play but failing to clinch the top spot as OKC went 4-0. Though the Thunder led by as much as 14 in the second half, the Suns kept things tight and took Oklahoma City down to the wire.

Ryan Dunn and Mark Williams were ruled out ahead of the Phoenix Suns' game against the Denver Nuggets on Saturday. Grayson Allen is questionable.

Suns guard Collin Gillespie had career highs with 24 points and six 3-pointers to lead six players in double figures against the Thunder. He added four assists and three rebounds but had four turnovers.

Phoenix is without its star guard, Jalen Green, and needs to take care of the basketball versus the Spurs. San Antonio will not be able to defend the basket without Wembanyama, so the Suns need to take advantage and score in the open floor.