Nuggets Overpower Suns 130–112 as Jokic and Murray Lead Denver in Late Surge

Game Overview

Phoenix — Nikola Jokic poured in 26 points, while Jamal Murray followed closely with 24, guiding the Denver Nuggets to a 130–112 victory over the Phoenix Suns on Saturday night. The win came after a dominant final quarter where Denver’s offense clicked into high gear.

Key Performers

Nikola Jokic: 26 points, 12 rebounds, 8 assists.
Jamal Murray: 24 points with five 3-pointers made.
Michael Porter Jr.: 20 points, adding strong shooting depth.
Aaron Gordon: Balanced contribution on both ends of the floor.

For Phoenix, Devin Booker led his team with 28 points, while Kevin Durant added 22. Despite their efforts, the Suns couldn’t stop Denver’s consistent ball movement and transition play.

Game Flow

The Suns opened aggressively, staying close through the first half. By halftime, Denver held only a slim lead, but the third quarter saw the Nuggets tighten their defense and convert turnovers into fast-break points. In the final minutes, Jokic’s playmaking and Murray’s precision shooting helped Denver pull away decisively.

Coaches’ Comments

Denver coach Michael Malone praised the team’s composure under pressure, saying:

"We stayed patient, trusted our movement, and attacked when it mattered."

Phoenix coach Frank Vogel acknowledged the gap in execution during the closing stretch, adding:

"We had moments, but couldn’t sustain the energy we needed down the stretch."

Team Statistics

Team	FG%	3PT%	Rebounds	Assists	Turnovers
Nuggets	54.8	42.1	45	29	10
Suns	47.2	35.9	38	21	14

What’s Next

The Nuggets improved their record to 13–5 and return home to face the Trail Blazers on Monday. The Suns, now 10–8, will look to bounce back when they host the Pelicans.

Denver extends its strong start, powered by balanced scoring and efficient late-game execution.

Author’s Summary: Denver dominated late behind Jokic and Murray’s rhythm, pulling away from Phoenix with fluid offense and strong defensive adjustments.

ESPN — 2025-11-30