PHOENIX — Nikola Jokic delivered 26 points, while Jamal Murray added 24, guiding the Denver Nuggets to a 130-112 win over the Phoenix Suns on Saturday night. Denver surged ahead in the fourth quarter, capitalizing on Phoenix’s defensive lapses and poor shooting.
For Phoenix, Kevin Durant had 29 points, but the Suns struggled to find consistent scoring help. Bradley Beal added 17 points, while Devin Booker missed his third straight game due to a hamstring injury.
Denver led 64-57 at halftime, with Jokic controlling the pace. Phoenix briefly closed the gap early in the third quarter, but back-to-back threes by Porter and Murray helped the Nuggets regain momentum. By the final period, Denver’s ball movement and interior passing proved too much for the Suns, who allowed several easy baskets in transition.
“We stayed poised and shared the ball,” said Jamal Murray. “That’s when we’re at our best.”
“Defensively, we didn’t match their intensity,” Suns coach Frank Vogel admitted. “They made the extra pass every time.”
Denver improved to 14-6 and will host the Minnesota Timberwolves next. Phoenix, now 10-9, faces the Golden State Warriors on Monday as they hope to get Booker back in the lineup.
Coach Michael Malone praised his team’s chemistry, saying, “Everyone contributed — that’s the identity we’re building.”
The Nuggets’ balanced attack and late-game discipline highlighted their championship form, while the Suns’ inconsistency underscored their need for healthy stars.
Author’s summary: Denver’s strong fourth quarter and team balance secured a commanding win over Phoenix, emphasizing their offensive rhythm and depth.