The Denver Nuggets secured their sixth consecutive victory with an impressive 122-105 win against the Phoenix Suns, with Nikola Jokic leading the charge. Jokic delivered a sensational performance with 28 points, 11 rebounds, and nine assists, narrowly missing his umpteenth triple-double. His contributions were pivotal, even though he rested during the final quarter of the game.
Jokic's efficiency was remarkable as he successfully drained 11 out of 13 shots within just 28 minutes of play. His star teammate, Jamal Murray, also shone brightly with 30 points, ensuring that the absence of Russell Westbrook and Michael Porter Jr., both suffering from left hamstring injuries, did not impact the team's rhythm.
Despite their spirited effort, the Phoenix Suns lagged i.n comparison, owing partly to the unavailability of key players. Devin Booker stood out for the Suns by scoring 24 points. However, the structural imbalance due to the absence of Kevin Durant, Bradley Beal, and Grayson Allen was evident. Allen, notably, had launched two game-altering 3-pointers against Utah in the previous game, which highlights his crucial role in the team.
Meanwhile, Bol Bol emerged as a beacon for the Suns, chalking up a season-high 19 points while Tyus Jones contributed with 15 points and an impressive 10 assists. These performances, however, fell short of turning the tide as the Suns faced their fourth loss in the past five games.
The Nuggets benefited from notable contributions from other players, with Julian Strawther stepping up in Westbrook's absence with 18 points and six assists in nearly 40 minutes of gameplay. Christian Braun mirrored Strawther’s contribution with a similar 18-point score.
Bol's adept playmaking caught the crowd's attention with two significant offensive rebounds and an eye-catching behind-the-back pass to Damion Lee, resulting in explosive cheers. Meanwhile, Murray’s early three-pointer spree set the Nuggets on a strong 10-2 outset. Despite a momentary lead by the Suns in the first quarter, the Nuggets quickly reclaimed dominance, extending their lead to as much as 23 points.
Looking ahead, the Denver Nuggets are set to face the Portland Trail Blazers, leveraging their newfound winning momentum, while the Phoenix Suns will aim to regroup against the Memphis Grizzlies in the hopes of ending their current string of losses.
