The Phoenix Suns had a chance to make a statement Tuesday night. Instead, they got a 119-111 reminder that Nikola Jokic still owns them. This wasn't just a win for the Denver Nuggets; it was a psychological blow, a reaffirmation of the pecking order established in last year's playoffs. Jamal Murray dropped 27 points, but it was Jokic’s near triple-double – 21 points, 16 assists, 16 rebounds – that orchestrated the dismantling.
Phoenix started hot. Kevin Durant, in vintage form, poured in 11 of his 30 points in the first quarter, pushing the Suns to a 33-28 lead. Bradley Beal, playing only his third game since January 26, added 13 points in the first half, showing flashes of the scoring punch the Suns desperately need. They shot 55% from the field in the opening frame, looking like a team finally gelling. For a minute there, the Footprint Center was buzzing with genuine optimism.
Then, the second quarter happened. Denver clamped down defensively, holding Phoenix to just 18 points. Jokic started to assert himself, not just with scoring, but with those absurd passes that defy logic. He found Aaron Gordon for a couple of easy dunks, and Christian Braun hit a timely three. The Nuggets erased the five-point deficit and went into halftime up 58-51. That seven-point swing felt like 20 given how the momentum shifted.
Here’s the thing: Phoenix still can’t figure out how to stop Jokic. They tried Jusuf Nurkic, who fouled out with 13 points and 5 rebounds. They tried switching, they tried double-teams. Nothing works. Jokic just picks them apart, either scoring over smaller defenders or finding open teammates when the double comes. He shot an efficient 9-for-14 from the field. It's a broken record at this point, but it's true.
The third quarter is where Denver really put the hammer down, outscoring Phoenix 37-29. Murray hit a couple of clutch threes, and Michael Porter Jr. chipped in with 16 points for the game. The Nuggets pushed their lead to 15 points by the end of the third, 95-80. Durant and Devin Booker, who finished with 23 points, tried to keep pace, but they were largely playing hero ball, while Denver's offense flowed.
Real talk: The Suns' bench is a major problem. Their reserves combined for just 16 points, compared to Denver's 34. Royce O'Neale, acquired at the trade deadline, managed only 4 points in 28 minutes. Drew Eubanks had 2. You can’t beat a championship contender with that kind of production from your second unit. It’s a fundamental flaw that has plagued them all season, even with the addition of Beal.
This loss isn't just one game; it’s a stark reminder of the gap between the two teams. Denver has now won eight of their last nine games against the Suns, including that dominant six-game series in the 2023 Western Conference Semifinals. The Suns have all the talent in the world, but they lack the chemistry and, frankly, the mental fortitude to beat this Nuggets squad. My hot take? The Suns will not make it out of the first round of the playoffs this year, and this game was a big reason why.