PHOENIX — In a thrilling matchup on Christmas night, both Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal contributed significantly to the Phoenix Suns’ victory over the Denver Nuggets, each scoring 27 points in a 110-100 win. This game served as the final event in the NBA’s Christmas schedule, showcasing a remarkable performance by the Suns who had previously faced a heavy defeat against the Nuggets just two nights prior.
The previous game saw the Nuggets dominate the Suns 117-90 in Denver, but this time Phoenix rallied together in the absence of star players Devin Booker (dealing with a groin issue) and Grayson Allen (under concussion protocol). The Suns maintained a seven-point lead after three quarters and expanded the margin to 99-81 early in the fourth quarter. They eventually pushed their advantage to 15 points and successfully managed to fend off a late push from the Nuggets, breaking a challenging three-game losing streak.
Nikola Jokic had a noteworthy performance for the Nuggets, racking up 25 points and grabbing 15 rebounds as he led his team. Michael Porter Jr. also made a valuable contribution with 22 points, while Russell Westbrook added 17 to the scoreboard. Jamal Murray, who missed the previous game due to a sprained ankle, returned with 13 points, along with six rebounds and six assists.
The Suns ignited early on, establishing a nine-point lead after hitting six of their first seven attempts from beyond the arc. However, the two teams exchanged baskets throughout a high-scoring first half, keeping the competition intense.
Observations from the game revealed some key elements for both teams. For the Nuggets, even with Murray back in the lineup, they struggled to replicate the energy from their earlier victory. After halftime, Jokic managed to score only seven points, contributing to Denver’s struggle with three-pointers, sinking just 8 of 29 attempts. On the other hand, despite the absence of two key shooters, the Suns still managed an impressive 11 of 36 from three-point range, with Monte Morris providing a spark off the bench, scoring 11 points and dishing out three assists.
A critical sequence occurred when Jokic was absent late in the third quarter and early in the fourth. This allowed the Suns to capitalize on his rest period, extending their lead to 12 points prior to his return to the court. Another notable statistic from the game showed that the Suns excel at transitioning quickly, outpacing the Nuggets 15-6 on fast breaks.
Looking ahead, the Nuggets are scheduled to host the Cleveland Cavaliers on Friday, while the Suns will take on the Dallas Mavericks on their home court.
