Jamal Murray scored 39 points and Christian Braun added 31 as the Denver Nuggets used a hot-shooting night to defeat the Phoenix Suns 127-120 in an NBA Cup group stage game on Friday night, according to ESPN.
The win gives Denver a six-game winning streak in the series against Phoenix, dating back to Christmas Day in 2024, and marks the first time the Nuggets have won consecutive games this season. Murray did the heavy lifting after halftime, pouring in 28 of his points in the second half to finish 10 of 18 from the floor and 7 of 9 from beyond the arc. As a team, the Nuggets hit 20 three-pointers and shot 52.6% from long range.
Denver is locked in 🔒With a loss by the Suns, Joker and the Nuggets have clinched their spot in the playoffs 🃏 pic.twitter.com/3zcIUlccHT
Braun set the tone early with 22 points in the first half alone, shooting 8 of 10 from the field and converting all six of his attempts from deep. Pushed by Braun and a scorching 13-of-20 start from beyond the arc, Denver grabbed a 71-67 halftime lead. Phoenix stayed within striking distance before the break thanks to Dillon Brooks, who matched Braun by scoring 20 points on 8-of-10 shooting, including 4 of 5 from three-point range.
The game shifted decisively in the third quarter when Brooks was ejected after kicking Murray in the groin on a turnaround jumper. Brooks was leading the Suns with 22 points at the time of his departure. Capitalizing on the shift, the Nuggets stretched their advantage to 103-93 heading into the fourth quarter and kept Phoenix at arm’s length down the stretch, preventing the deficit from shrinking to a single possession.
Nikola Jokic contributed 18 points and 10 assists for Denver, while all five starters finished scoring in double figures. Miles Bridges led the Suns with 24 points, Devin Booker scored 20 on his 30th birthday, and Collin Gillespie added 16 points and 10 assists off the bench.
The Nuggets return to action on Monday night to host Portland, while the Suns travel to face Golden State on Monday night.
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