The Denver Nuggets returned home to Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado, after a three-game road trip to face off against the Phoenix Suns. Behind the heroic performance of MVP contender Nikola Jokic, the Nuggets cruised to a dominant 117-90 victory.
With the win, the Nuggets improved to 16-11 on the season, securing the fifth spot in the Western Conference. Denver has now won 4 of their last 5 games, reinforcing their position as a team to be reckoned with. On the other hand, the Suns’ defeat dropped them to a 14-14 record, leaving them sitting at 11th in the West.
Nikola Jokic’s Outstanding Performance Ensures Denver Nuggets’ Win As The Suns Struggle Without Devin Booker
Nikola Jokic once again showed why he is considered one of the best players in the NBA, delivering a spectacular performance against the Suns. Jokic finished the game with 32 points, seven assists, and two rebounds, shooting 12-17 from the field, including 4 three-pointers.
Nikola Jokic tonight:
— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) December 24, 2024
32 Points
7 Assists
2 Rebounds
72% FG
29 Minutes pic.twitter.com/YEpck6Y8lG
Jokic’s stellar performance helped the Nuggets enter the fourth quarter with a commanding 100-79 lead. It also allowed Jokic to sit out the final period as the game was well in hand.
While Jokic was the standout, several other Nuggets players contributed to the win. Michael Porter Jr. added 24 points and six rebounds in 30 minutes of play. Aaron Gordon chipped in with 12 points and two rebounds. Christian Braun and Reggie Westbrook also made solid contributions, combining for 15 points, 12 rebounds, and 11 assists. Denver’s balanced attack was a key factor in their dominant win over Phoenix.
For the Suns, the absence of star guard Devin Booker, who was sidelined due to injury, proved to be too much to overcome. Despite a strong showing from Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal, Phoenix struggled to keep up with the Nuggets’ firepower.
Click on ‘Follow Us’ and get notified of the most viral NBA stories via Google! Follow Us
Durant posted 23 points, nine rebounds, and two assists in 31 minutes. Beal also contributed 23 points, but the Suns’ lack of depth left them short-handed. No other Suns player could step up to help their star duo. Jusuf Nurkic and Terence Jones combined for only 13 points, while Oso Ighodaro and Monte Morris each added seven points in the loss.
Nikola Jokic-led Denver Nuggets and Kevin Durant’s Phoenix Suns will face off again in a rematch on Wednesday, Christmas Day.
