Kevin Durant led the charge with 35 points, including a pivotal eight in overtime, as the undermanned Phoenix Suns rallied to secure a 117-107 victory over the Denver Nuggets on Tuesday night.
Despite only scoring 12 points in the fourth quarter, the Suns exploded for 15 points in overtime, buoyed by Durant and Bradley Beal, who contributed five of his 16 points during the additional period.
Grayson Allen showcased his sharpshooting prowess by sinking eight 3-pointers and tallying 28 points, aiding the Suns in snapping a two-game losing streak.
Initially trailing 77-55 early in the third quarter, the Denver Nuggets mounted a spirited comeback, transforming what appeared to be a one-sided affair into a nail-biting contest. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope’s clutch 3-pointer, followed by a Jamal Murray basket, gave Denver a narrow 102-99 lead with 1:30 remaining.
Durant then knotted the score with his first 3-pointer of the game, and Nikola Jokić’s last-second attempt failed to send the game into overtime. Murray finished the game with 28 points, while Jokic contributed 25 points, 16 rebounds, and five assists, although their efforts were not enough to extend the Nuggets’ six-game winning streak.
Allen’s hot hand from beyond the arc was neutralized by Caldwell-Pope’s defensive assignment, as Allen missed his final four attempts. Jusuf Nurkic fouled out with 2:28 remaining, attempting to contain Jokic, after securing 12 rebounds following his record-setting 31 rebounds against Oklahoma City.
The Suns were without key players Devin Booker (sprained ankle), Nassir Little (knee), Damion Lee (meniscus surgery), and Josh Okogie (abdominal strain). The victory holds significant importance for the Suns, who currently occupy the sixth seed and are precariously close to the play-in tournament.
Despite trailing 43-36 in the second quarter, the Suns embarked on a decisive 29-5 run to establish a comfortable lead before halftime. Their advantage swelled to 22 points early in the third quarter before the Nuggets mounted their impressive comeback.
Jokic showcased his clutch gene by sinking a buzzer-beating turnaround, 26-footer to conclude the first quarter, electrifying the crowd and punctuating a period where both teams combined for 11-of-17 shooting from beyond the arc.
This encounter marked the second meeting between the Nuggets and Suns this season, in stark contrast to Denver’s 119-111 triumph on Dec. 1 in Phoenix. During that game, the Suns were missing key contributors Booker, Damion Lee, and Beal, while the Nuggets were without the services of Murray.
