PHOENIX — The Phoenix Suns turned the tables on the Denver Nuggets this holiday season, clinching a thrilling 110-100 victory on Christmas Day. Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal both showcased their scoring prowess, contributing 27 points each to lead their team to triumph at Footprint Center, winding down the NBA’s Christmas slate with impactful excitement.
After suffering a blowout loss to the Nuggets just two days prior, it was clear the Suns needed a turnaround. Their effort on Wednesday night demonstrated considerable improvement, especially with their offensive momentum keeping Denver’s defense on its toes. During the previous clash, the Nuggets had handed the Suns their most devastating defeat of the season, winning 117-90. This time, Phoenix not only avenge this loss but did so without key players Devin Booker and Grayson Allen.
The Suns quickly found their rhythm, surging to a nine-point lead early on when they hit six of seven shots from three-point range. Denver struggled to adapt, not keeping pace with Phoenix’s lightning-fast start. By halftime, the Suns were leading 58-56, having effectively countered Nikola Jokić's efforts, who had 17 points and eight rebounds by the break.
Despite Jokić finishing as the team leader with 25 points and 15 rebounds, his performance was stifled later on, being limited to only seven points after halftime. Missing from the floor for key stretches of the game, particularly during the latter part of the third quarter, Jokić’s absence was acutely felt by the Nuggets. After leading the first quarter, he struggled to regain shooting touch, ending the game with tough shooting from beyond the arc, hitting just 27.6% of his three-point attempts.
Bringing intensity to the court, the Suns also benefited from Monte Morris stepping up off the bench, where he scored 11 points along with providing support to the team’s playmaking efforts. They outscored the Nuggets 15-6 on fast breaks and converted those transitions effectively to extend their lead as the game progressed. It's worth noting Aaron Gordon exited the game early due to calf tightness, leaving the Nuggets with even less depth to counter the surging Suns.
Jamal Murray returned to the lineup after missing the prior matchup due to an ankle injury. He managed to contribute 13 points, six rebounds, and six assists, but it wasn't enough to secure victory as he struggled to find his rhythm late.
“We just couldn't match the intensity from Monday's game,” Murray reflected post-game. “They came out ready to fight, and we didn’t respond well.”
The turning point arrived when the Suns capitalized on Jokić's resting minutes. They took hold of the game with significant runs, stretching the lead to as much as 14 points during the fourth quarter. Fueled by Beal's explosive play and Durant’s consistency, the duo helped rally the team during clutch moments, including converting on key shots as time dwindled.
With the Nuggets trailing by 12 points, they managed to pull within single digits late, yet were unable to curtail the Suns' scoring sprees long enough to make it competitive down the stretch. A pivotal three-pointer by Monte Morris with just under two minutes left pushed the Suns back to safety, effectively sealing the outcome.
Final stats revealed both teams shooting relatively evenly with Phoenix converting 46.6% of their efforts against Denver’s 46.2%. Despite being shorthanded, the Suns' adaptability shone through as they utilized their bench effectively, especially during the decisive moments when the Nuggets needed offensive sparks.
“This win is important for us, especially on Christmas. It shows we can compete even when things aren’t going perfectly,” Durant emphasized during the post-game ceremony. “It’s always about how we respond to adversity.”
Now, with the Suns snapping their three-game losing streak, they look onward as they prepare to face the Dallas Mavericks next. The Nuggets, who still felt the sting of the defeat, aim to rebound against the Cleveland Cavaliers as they look to regain their footing.
