Nuggets Overpower Suns Behind Jokic and Murray’s Scoring

AP Photo/Rick Scuteri

PHOENIX — Nikola Jokic scored 26 points, and Jamal Murray added 24 as the Denver Nuggets pulled away late to defeat the Phoenix Suns 130-112 on Saturday night.

The Nuggets, who shot a scorching 57.9 percent from three-point range, made 22 of 38 attempts from beyond the arc, including 10 in the first half and 12 in the second. Tim Hardaway Jr. contributed 23 points off the bench, going 7-of-11 from long distance.

Jokic, who played sparingly in the fourth quarter, was perfect from the field at 7-of-7 and narrowly missed his 11th triple-double of the season, adding 10 assists and nine rebounds. Denver extended its lead to 96-85 entering the final quarter after connecting on eight three-pointers in the third. Although the Suns briefly cut the deficit to nine, the Nuggets responded with a 12-0 run to take a 110-89 advantage.

The victory came a night after Denver’s loss to the San Antonio Spurs. Phoenix has now dropped three of its last four games. Dillon Brooks led the Suns with 27 points on 10-of-18 shooting, while Devin Booker scored 24 points and made 14 of 15 free throws. Grayson Allen returned from a more than two-week absence due to a bruised quadriceps, finishing with 10 points. At halftime, the Nuggets held a slim 63-60 lead, having made 10 of 16 three-pointers. Jokic had 18 points, and Hardaway added 17, while Brooks led Phoenix with 19 points.

Up Next: Denver will host the Dallas Mavericks on Monday, while Phoenix faces the Los Angeles Lakers on the road.