The Denver Nuggets have been on a tear with a 15-2 record post the All-Star break, propelling them to the leading position in the Western Conference.

One of those two defeats occurred at home against the Phoenix Suns three weeks back, snapping a six-game winning streak. Phoenix (42-30) now aims to halt another streak, this time a four-game spree by the defending champions, as they visit Denver (51-21) on Wednesday night.

The Suns are fresh off a disappointing 104-102 loss versus San Antonio on Monday, a game where injuries hampered their lineup, leading to the end of their three-game victory run. The loss was a missed chance to climb up the Western Conference rankings.

With Phoenix’s last ten matches against current playoff contenders, the defeat was a tough blow for the Suns.

“It’s unacceptable to lose that game for our guys,” coach Frank Vogel said. “We all said the right things, we all did the right preparation to come in, but we didn’t play with the necessary focus and disposition throughout I would say the first half. You give a team like that life and that’s how the NBA works.”

The road ahead doesn’t seem smoother for the Suns. Center Jusuf Nurkic exited the Monday game in the third quarter due to a right ankle issue, his status uncertain for the upcoming game. Additionally, Bradley Beal‘s participation remains questionable due to a sprained right ring finger.

Nurkic has been a strong defender against two-time MVP Nikola Jokic, a fellow player he developed alongside in Denver. In case Nurkic sits out, Bol Bol might step in to shoulder the responsibility against Jokic.

Denver has also been dealing with injuries but has kept rolling. Jokic (lower back pain, left hip inflammation) and Jamal Murray (left ankle sprain) missed Saturday’s win at Portland, and Murray, Aaron Gordon (right plantar fasciitis) and Zeke Nnaji (adductor tendinitis) didn’t play in a blowout win over Memphis on Monday night.

Nnaji is out for the next game, while Murray and Gordon’s availability hangs in the balance. In their absence, backups have stepped up. Reggie Jackson emerged from a slump impressively, while Christian Braun has significantly improved his game since the start of the season.

Braun, a crucial player off the bench in the previous title-winning season, struggled initially this year but has made a remarkable comeback with notable performances in recent games.

“There wasn’t a shift, I’m just playing basketball the right way, showing up to work, doing the same thing I’ve done every day since I’ve been here,” Braun said after Monday’s 128-103 win over the Grizzlies. “Just continue to stay hungry, keep working, do what I do, stick with my routine. I knew that would happen. I was confident in my ability.”