Our Clients:

Field Level Media - Professional sports content solutions | FLM

Dec 24, 2024 12:39 am

Nikola Jokic powers for 32 as Nuggets thrash Suns

Nuggets, Suns

Nikola Jokic scored 32 points, Michael Porter Jr. added 24 points on 10-for-12 shooting, and the host Denver Nuggets beat the Phoenix Suns 117-90 on Monday night.

Aaron Gordon contributed 12 points and Russell Westbrook scored 11 apiece for the Nuggets, who have won five of their past six games. Denver’s Jalen Pickett posted career highs in points (11) and assists (eight).

Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal scored 23 points each for Phoenix, which has dropped three in a row.

Denver’s second-leading scorer, Jamal Murray, did not play due to a left ankle sprain sustained in an overtime win at New Orleans on Sunday. The Suns were without Devin Booker (left groin soreness) and Grayson Allen (concussion protocol).

The Nuggets, up by four at halftime, came out strong to start the third quarter. Jokic opened with a 12-footer, and Porter hit from deep. Westbrook soon added a steal and dunk before slamming down an offensive rebound to give Denver a 66-53 lead.

Durant missed a turnaround jumper and fouled Gordon, who made both free throws. Beal scored five straight Phoenix points to try to rally the visitors, but Westbrook made a 3-pointer and later tipped in a Jokic miss to give the Nuggets a 78-63 lead.

Denver kept increasing the margin after a Suns timeout. Gordon hit a 3-pointer, Jokic made a finger roll and Gordon again scored from deep to put the Nuggets ahead 86-63.

Jokic’s floater made it 95-71 late in the third before Phoenix mounted a charge. Royce O’Neale and Durant made 3-pointers and Durant hit a fadeaway to cap an 8-0 run, but Denver closed the quarter strong.

Jokic was fouled while sinking layup with 10.6 seconds left. He missed the free throw, but the Nuggets got the rebound. Jokic fed Hunter Tyson in the corner for a 3-pointer to make it 100-79 heading into the fourth.

Denver led by as many as 10 in the second quarter, but the Suns scored 11 straight points to go in front 44-43. The Nuggets responded and took a 55-51 edge into halftime.

–Field Level Media

You may also like

Nikola Jokic
Dec 24, 2024 9:01 pm

Nuggets expect tougher rematch after routing Suns to start week

The Denver Nuggets drubbed the Phoenix Suns by 27 points on Monday night. Denver now bids to complete a sweep of a two-game set when the Nuggets and Suns reconvene…

Juwan Gary
Dec 24, 2024 5:01 pm

Nebraska aims to shut down Oregon St. in Diamond Head final

When Nebraska meets Oregon State on Wednesday in Honolulu in the championship game of the Diamond Head Classic, it will have a chance to win its first tournament since the…

LeBron James Stephen Curry Lakers
Dec 24, 2024 3:31 pm

Lakers, Warriors enter spotlight chasing bounce-back efforts

LeBron James and Stephen Curry share the national spotlight on Christmas Day for perhaps the final time when the visiting Los Angeles Lakers square off with the Golden State Warriors…

More Basketball News

Nikola Jokic
Dec 24, 2024 9:01 pm

Nuggets expect tougher rematch after routing Suns to start week

The Denver Nuggets drubbed the Phoenix Suns by 27 points on Monday night. Denver now bids to complete a sweep of a two-game set when the Nuggets and Suns reconvene…

Juwan Gary
Dec 24, 2024 5:01 pm

Nebraska aims to shut down Oregon St. in Diamond Head final

LeBron James Stephen Curry Lakers
Dec 24, 2024 3:31 pm

Lakers, Warriors enter spotlight chasing bounce-back efforts

Zion Williamson
Dec 24, 2024 3:28 pm

Pelicans’ Zion Williamson (hamstring) to practice next week

Minnesota Timberwolves
Dec 24, 2024 3:12 pm

Struggling Wolves in search of offense vs. Mavericks

Read all
fb-post
advertisment
title-icon

Upcoming events

See all odds