Suns Stumble Against Nuggets in 130-112 Defeat
The Phoenix Suns suffered a disappointing defeat at the hands of the Denver Nuggets, falling 130-112 on Saturday night. This setback brought their season record to 12-9, marking the first time the Suns have dropped back-to-back games since late October. At the forefront of Denver’s success was Nikola Jokic, who, despite being questionable due to a wrist injury, delivered a stellar performance with 26 points, nine rebounds, and ten assists. Remarkably, he fell just one rebound short of securing his 11th triple-double of the season.
Shooting Struggles for Phoenix
From the outset, it was clear that the Suns were struggling to find their rhythm. The Nuggets capitalized on this, shooting an impressive 58% from the field and beyond the arc, while Phoenix managed a dismal 33% from three-point range. The disparity in shooting efficiency ultimately proved decisive, as Denver took control of the game early on.
First Quarter Action
The game began with a burst of energy from Phoenix, who opened with an 8-2 run, forcing four turnovers within the first three minutes. However, the Nuggets quickly regrouped, battling back to take a 16-14 lead, prompting a timeout from Suns coach Jordan Ott. By the end of the first quarter, Denver had established a 30-25 lead, with Jokic contributing 13 points, while Collin Gillespie led the Suns with nine.
Second Quarter Clash
As the second quarter unfolded, the two teams exchanged baskets, with Denver holding a slim 39-36 advantage by the 8:07 mark. Tim Hardaway Jr. emerged as a spark for the Nuggets, draining five three-pointers during the quarter to maintain Denver’s momentum. Phoenix managed to tie the game at 51-51 with just under three minutes remaining in the half. However, a late surge allowed the Nuggets to head into halftime with a 63-60 lead, bolstered by their 62% shooting from three-point range, despite committing 11 turnovers. Dillon Brooks led the Suns with 19 points at the break.
Third Quarter Struggles
The third quarter saw the Nuggets find their groove, extending their lead to ten points as the Suns struggled to convert open shots. By the time the buzzer sounded, Denver had built a commanding 96-85 advantage. Devin Booker, a key player for Phoenix, finished the first three quarters with an uncharacteristic 0-4 from beyond the arc. As a team, the Suns could only muster a 32% shooting percentage from three-point land, a stark contrast to their usual prowess.
Fourth Quarter Breakdown
The final quarter began with a 9-3 run by the Nuggets, effectively extinguishing any hopes of a Suns comeback. Phoenix continued to struggle defensively against Denver’s high pick-and-roll offense, while the Nuggets appeared unstoppable. The lead ballooned to over 20 points, leaving Phoenix with little recourse. With just 3:45 left in the game and the score at 124-105, Ott called another timeout, signaling the end of the contest as he opted to empty his bench.
Looking Ahead
The Suns will look to regroup as they prepare for a road matchup against the Los Angeles Lakers on Monday night, hoping to bounce back from this challenging defeat.
