Nikola Jokic’s dominant performance, featuring 23 points, 17 rebounds, and a season-high 17 assists, propelled the Denver Nuggets to a 125-123 victory over the Phoenix Suns. Jokic sealed the win with a 12-foot jumper with just 11.5 seconds remaining, while Devin Booker’s potential game-winning 3-pointer for Phoenix bounced off the rim.
Jokic’s Historic Night
Jokic secured his NBA-leading 29th triple-double of the season early in the third quarter. He shot 9 of 16 from the field. One of his pinpoint passes went the full length of the court for a layup by Christian Braun.
Suns’ Comeback Falls Short
The Suns, trailing 117-109 with 3:19 left, mounted a comeback attempt. Booker tied the game at 123 with 30.2 seconds remaining after making a tough jumper in the lane. Booker finished with 22 points and eight assists.
Nuggets’ Roster Nearing Full Strength
The Nuggets, who have battled injuries throughout the season, are now approaching full strength. Jamal Murray contributed 21 points, and Tim Hardaway Jr. added 18 points off the bench. Denver held a 10-point lead at halftime. Jordan Goodwin and Grayson Allen made back-to-back 3s late in the third, helping Phoenix cut the deficit to 97-95 heading into the fourth.
Playoff Implications
The Nuggets have won six of their last eight games and are 1 1/2 games behind the Lakers for the No. 3 spot in the Western Conference playoff race. The Suns have dropped six of seven and face an uphill battle to avoid the play-in tournament; they’re currently the No. 7 team in the West.
Jokic received a technical foul early in the game after heated comments toward referee Dannica Baroody. Before halftime, Jokic had 15 points, 11 rebounds and eight assists.
The Nuggets are set to host the Mavericks on Wednesday, while the Suns will host the Jazz on Saturday.