The Western Conference playoff race just got a major shake-up with the Luka Doncic-Anthony Davis trade, but for teams like the Denver Nuggets and New Orleans Pelicans, the grind for postseason positioning continues. The Nuggets (33-19) sit fourth in the West, barely ahead of the now-Davis-led Los Angeles Lakers, while the Pelicans (28-24) struggle to stay afloat amid a brutal string of injuries. The two teams face off twice in three days in Denver, beginning Monday night, and the Nuggets have an opportunity to create some breathing room in the standings. Denver ended a tough five-game road trip with back-to-back wins, including a 107-104 victory at Charlotte on Saturday. However, they did so without: 🚑 Russell Westbrook (hamstring)🚑 Peyton Watson

The Utah Jazz have struggled to build momentum all season, but they’ll get another chance when they host the Indiana Pacers on Monday night in Salt Lake City. Fresh off a 113-99 win over Orlando, the Jazz are looking to win consecutive games for just the third time this season. However, they’ll have to slow down one of the NBA’s hottest teams to do it. Indiana (30-23) has been on fire since the new year, posting an 11-2 record in 2025. The Pacers have climbed into the No. 4 spot in the Eastern Conference, thanks to their elite ball movement and relentless offensive attack. ✅ Key Stats: 📢 Coach Rick Carlisle: The Pacers kicked off their four-game road trip with

The Golden State Warriors are at a crossroads. What was supposed to be a favorable nine-game stretch at home has turned into a missed opportunity, and they now face the Orlando Magic on Monday in a must-win game. With 12 of their next 14 games on the road, a loss to the Magic would leave Golden State (24-25) questioning its direction ahead of the trade deadline. After entering this homestand at .500 (20-20), the Warriors have split their last eight games and are now teetering on the edge of falling out of the Western Conference playoff race. Coach Steve Kerr acknowledged that standing pat at the deadline isn’t an option: Following a 130-105 beatdown by the Suns, the Warriors need

The Phoenix Suns will get another crack at the Portland Trail Blazers on Monday night, hoping to rebound from a 127-108 defeat in the opener of their two-game set. Meanwhile, the Trail Blazers continue to roll, winning seven of their last eight games while displaying a newfound confidence and team chemistry. The biggest storyline from Saturday’s matchup was Deandre Ayton’s dominance against his former team. The former No. 1 overall pick dropped 24 points on 11-of-12 shooting, making his presence felt in the paint. 🔥 Ayton’s Last 4 Games:✔ 22.3 PPG, 11.0 RPG✔ 21-of-24 FG in last 2 games✔ 4 straight 20+ point performances “I’m here to beat teams, man,” Ayton said postgame. “We’re trying to change the tradition here