The Western Conference remains a lottery, with six clubs realistically in the mix for the title: the Los Angeles Lakers, LA Clippers, Utah Jazz, Denver Nuggets, Golden State Warriors and the reigning Western champion Phoenix Suns. Even the East’s powerhouses can’t guarantee a smooth ride for anyone out West, and the balance of power suggests Phoenix can still mount a deep playoff run.

The Utah Jazz have reached the playoffs five straight seasons, yet each appearance has ended at the conference semifinals. Their core leans heavily on veterans: Rudy Gobert and Jordan Clarkson are both 29, Bojan Bogdanović is 32, Joe Ingles is 33 and Rudy Gay is 35. While Donovan Mitchell (25) and rookie Eric Paschall (24) provide youthful sparks, the Jazz led the league last year in win percentage and point differential, only to fall short in the postseason.

Golden State’s potency still hinges on a healthy trio of Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green. Thompson returns from two leg injuries that have ended many careers, and all three are now 31 or older, making injury risk a constant factor. Andrew Wiggins, while a solid contributor, does not offer the same safety net that Kevin Durant once provided, meaning a single setback for the “Big 3” could push the Warriors into a fight just to make the Western playoffs.

Phoenix’s advantage lies in continuity and health. The Suns entered last year’s Finals on a comparatively smooth road, and their core has largely avoided the injury carousel that haunts many Western rivals. Veteran point guard Chris Paul adds experience that younger teams lack, while the roster’s stability allows the Suns to build on the chemistry that carried them to the Finals without a massive overhaul.

From the time Aaron Gordon first suited up in Denver, only one NBA team has ever posted a better record than the Nuggets, the Suns. That historical edge, combined with a relatively young and healthy lineup, positions Phoenix as the most likely of the six Western hopefuls to return to the NBA Finals.

As the regular season winds down in April, the Suns must protect their veterans while capitalizing on their statistical advantage. A win-or-lose stretch against the Jazz or Warriors could determine seeding, and a favorable matchup against a lower-seeded opponent would boost Phoenix’s odds of a deep run. If the Suns navigate this stretch without major setbacks, they will stand out as the most credible challenger in a Western Conference that still feels wide open.