Prior to the Phoenix Suns’ win on Tuesday night, it was announced that guard Devin Booker would miss 7-10 days due to a right ankle sprain. Furthermore, the Suns signed a familiar face, Ish Wainwright, to a two-way contract. The corresponding move involved releasing guard Théo Maledon.
Early on, it was a back-and-forth game. This marked the second time the two teams had played since the 2023 Western Conference Semifinals. Nuggets guard Jamal Murray exhibited the same fire in his eyes as he does every time he faces the Suns, leading the Nuggets with 28 points. Nikola Jokic didn’t find his scoring rhythm until late in the game, finishing with 25 points and 16 rebounds. Jusuf Nurkic did a commendable job of limiting Jokic before fouling out.
The Suns were in control from the second quarter until a fourth-quarter collapse. They held a 15-point lead over the Nuggets at halftime, with their biggest lead being 22. Once Jusuf Nurkic fouled out late in the game, he was replaced by Drew Eubanks. The Nuggets surged in the fourth quarter, outscoring the Suns 21-12 and even holding a three-point lead at one point until Kevin Durant tied the game with a three-pointer, sending it to overtime.
In overtime, the Suns managed to score 15 points, with Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal combining for 13. Durant finished with 35 points on 14-34 shooting, while Grayson Allen was hot from three-point range early on, shooting 8-12 from downtown and totaling 28 points.
Ultimately, the Suns faced struggles in the fourth quarter, but they still managed to secure a 117-107 victory in the defending champs’ building without Devin Booker. They will now return to Phoenix and host the Toronto Raptors on Thursday night.
