Nikola Jokic led the way with 29 points, 13 rebounds and 12 assists as the Denver Nuggets overcame the Phoenix Suns to edge ahead in their series.
Denver Nuggets player Nikola Jokic help his side defeat the Phoenix Sun in the Game 5 of their semi-finals series.
Nikola Jokic racked up 29 points, 13 rebounds and 12 assists, and Bruce Brown scored 25 points off the bench as the Denver Nuggets beat the Phoenix Suns 118-102 in Game 5 of their Western Conference semi-final series on Tuesday night.
Michael Porter Jr and Jamal Murray each scored 19 points and Aaron Gordon finished with 10 for the Nuggets, who lead the best-of-seven series 3-2. Game 6 is Thursday night in Phoenix.
Kevin Durant had 26 points and 11 rebounds, Devin Booker scored 28 points and Deandre Ayton added 14 points and nine rebounds for the visiting Suns.
After a close first half, Denver took control in a chippy third quarter. The Nuggets went ahead 69-53 with a 17-4 run to open the second half and kept increasing their advantage. Two free throws by Murray and a floater in the lane and finger roll by Jokic made it 77-57 with 4:46 left in the period.
Seems to make history every night 🃏 pic.twitter.com/jfGwhAhTZt
— Denver Nuggets (@nuggets) May 10, 2023
The Suns got within 17 and had a chance to cut the deficit further, but a Murray steal led to a 6-2 run and an 89-68 lead late in the third.
Things got heated with 37.6 seconds left in the third when Brown and Jokic were hovering near the Phoenix huddle and Durant elbowed Jokic, who flailed back. Brown and Durant were given technicals.
Denver took a 91-74 lead into the fourth quarter, and then went on an immediate run to essentially put the game away.
The Nuggets led 35-20 late in the first quarter but Phoenix rallied to take its first lead at 48-47 late in the second. Denver went into half time up 52-49.
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