The Denver Nuggets rolled into Phoenix last night and left with a statement win, a 119-111 victory that felt more dominant than the final score suggests. Nikola Jokic, as he often does, carved up the Suns defense, putting up a ridiculous 38 points, 18 rebounds, and 9 assists. It was a vintage performance from the two-time MVP, who seemed to have an answer for every double team and every defensive wrinkle Phoenix threw his way. The Suns, frankly, looked helpless trying to contain him, especially in the paint where he scored 22 of his points.
Jamal Murray also found his rhythm, contributing 28 points on 11-of-21 shooting, including a couple of clutch pull-up jumpers in the fourth quarter when the Suns tried to make a run. Denver’s offense hummed, shooting 50.6% from the field as a team. This wasn't a game where the Nuggets relied on the three-ball; they only hit 9-of-28 from deep. Instead, they consistently got to their spots, leveraging Jokic's passing to dissect Phoenix's interior defense.
Phoenix, on the other hand, just couldn't get their star power to align. Kevin Durant led the Suns with 30 points, but he needed 26 shots to get there, hitting 11 of them. Devin Booker added 27 points, but his efficiency wasn't much better, going 10-for-25 from the floor. Bradley Beal, in his second game back from injury, looked a step slow, managing only 16 points on 6-of-14 shooting. The Suns shot a decent 46.2% overall, but their 3-point percentage was a meager 29.6%, hitting only 8 of 27 attempts. That kind of cold shooting won't cut it against a top-tier team like Denver.
Here's the thing: the Suns' offense often feels like three guys taking turns. There isn't enough fluid motion or off-ball action. Jokic and the Nuggets' defense, while not always lockdown, did a good job of walling off driving lanes and forcing tough contested shots. Phoenix only managed 19 assists as a team, compared to Denver's 29. That difference in ball movement is telling. When the ball sticks, even with elite scorers, it makes it easier for defenses to anticipate and react.
What this game really highlighted is the depth and cohesion of the Nuggets. Aaron Gordon chipped in 15 points and played stellar defense on Durant for stretches. Christian Braun brought his usual energy, grabbing 7 rebounds and making a few key defensive plays. Denver outrebounded Phoenix 47-38, a significant advantage that led to extra possessions and second-chance points. They also protected the ball better, committing only 10 turnovers to Phoenix's 14. Those little things add up.
Real talk: I don't care how many stars the Suns have; if they can't figure out a way to consistently move the ball and get everyone involved, they're not beating the Nuggets in a seven-game series. This isn't just about last night's loss; it's a recurring theme. They rely too heavily on individual brilliance, and against a team as disciplined and fundamentally sound as Denver, that's a recipe for disaster. The Nuggets, even without a fully healthy Murray for parts of the season, have consistently proven they are the most complete team in the Western Conference.
Bold prediction: The Nuggets finish with the best record in the West by at least three games.