Suns vs. Nuggets: Play-by-play, highlights and reactions

The Phoenix Suns (60-14) play against the Denver Nuggets (31-31) at Ball Arena

Game Time: 9:00 PM EDT on Thursday March 24, 2022

Phoenix Suns 140, Denver Nuggets 130 (Final)

What’s the buzz on Twitter?

Kurt Helin @basketballtalk
Watch Devin Booker drop 49, help Suns secure No. 1 overall seed with win nba.nbcsports.com/2022/03/25/wat… – 2:29 AM Kellan Olson @KellanOlson
I wrote about the Suns continuing to prove they are the best team in the world and the attitude that comes with it: arizonasports.com/story/3083244/… – 2:17 AM Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
Devin Booker took that personal. #Suns
azcentral.com/story/sports/n… – 2:08 AM TJ McBride @TJMcBrideNBA
Malone on the turnovers tonight against the Suns:
“Against the best team in the NBA, you can’t beat yourself and them in the same night.” – 1:45 AM Gerald Bourguet @GeraldBourguet
(Got a D-Book photobomb on a night he dropped 49 and 10)
Phoenix
Los Angeles
Portland
Chicago
Philadelphia
Milwaukee
Orlando
Miami
Denver
9 down, 21 to go pic.twitter.com/zim7rVmVBh – 1:04 AM Gerald Bourguet @GeraldBourguet
Devin Booker had some thoughts on the MVP race,
as well as the general disrespect he and the Suns get: pic.twitter.com/EQ6oZZB1sa – 12:53 AM Phoenix Suns @Suns
Some necessary changes were made. pic.twitter.com/s9uTDRVp4n – 12:44 AM Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
“I’m good man. I’m so grateful.”
Chris Paul on his return from a fractured right thumb. #Suns pic.twitter.com/9pUbkvRsZB – 12:42 AM Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
“We enjoy ourselves for real.” Devin Booker on how fun the bus ride will be to Denver airport after #Suns reach 60 wins and grab No. 1 overall seed in playoffs after Thursday’s win over #Nuggets. pic.twitter.com/01BVms3ZrA – 12:40 AM Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
“Yeah.”
Devin Booker when asked if his name should be in the #NBA MVP conversation. #Suns. pic.twitter.com/ZPIHGjbsve – 12:37 AM Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
“That was disrespectful.”
Devin Booker on Nuggets having Amir Coffey’s face on big screen instead of his in starter intros.
Coffey plays for Clippers, who were at Denver Tuesday. Coffey started at SG, but Booker thinks that was “purposely done.”
“We got the last laugh.” #Suns pic.twitter.com/xvaY8VdaWk – 12:35 AM Jae Crowder @CJC9BOSS
AYE @Chris Paul RETURN…. @Phoenix Suns ROLL.!!! 🤙🏾💯 – 12:29 AM Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
Devin Booker representing Howard University. #Suns. pic.twitter.com/uYjrRAINYq – 12:24 AM Gerald Bourguet @GeraldBourguet
Should Devin Booker be in the MVP race?
Book: “Yeah.” – 12:23 AM Kellan Olson @KellanOlson
Devin Booker said that people have been playing with his name and it’s too much. He’s the type to see anything and take it as disrespect. Needs to see this team get some real recognition with what they’ve achieved. – 12:22 AM Gerald Bourguet @GeraldBourguet
“It’s that time of the year, one, to gear up for these playoffs, and people have been playing with my name, man.” – Devin Booker – 12:20 AM Gerald Bourguet @GeraldBourguet
Devin Booker on how he takes in getting 60 wins and locking up the 1-seed, said he’s just looking forward to the bus and plane ride home.
“The vibes are there, man. Everybody’s proud of each other.” – 12:20 AM Gerald Bourguet @GeraldBourguet
Devin Booker, yelling to Chris Paul down the hallway after his presser: “Welcome back, 3!” – 12:18 AM Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
“It’s basketball. Just basketball.”
Chris Paul on his exchange with Jeff Green. #Suns – 12:18 AM Phoenix Suns @Suns
BEST FANS IN THE WORLD! pic.twitter.com/qoUQN3DIiZ – 12:17 AM Ishmail Wainwright @Wainright24
That’s 60 😈 – 12:16 AM Kellan Olson @KellanOlson
Chris Paul said there’s no disrespect to any other candidates but that it isn’t even close when it comes to Monty Williams for Coach of the Year. Asked what everyone else is watching if they don’t think Williams is COTY. – 12:15 AM Gerald Bourguet @GeraldBourguet
“Damn right! It shouldn’t even be close? What are y’all watching if this man isn’t the Coach of the Year?” – Chris Paul on Monty Williams – 12:15 AM Phoenix Suns @Suns
We’d like to have a conversation. pic.twitter.com/A3tSesRSZc – 12:12 AM Gerald Bourguet @GeraldBourguet
Chris Paul: “I think our team understands the regular season is the regular season, but it’s special, man.”
Said his thumb feels good and he’s grateful for the training staff and everyone that helped him get back – 12:12 AM Phoenix Suns @Suns
🗣 What @Ishmail Wainwright said! 🗣 pic.twitter.com/FvvhrJRucH – 12:07 AM Phoenix Suns @Suns
THAT’S WHAT THE GAME DO! pic.twitter.com/JOXhg09Ykt – 12:03 AM Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
#Suns beat Nuggets, clinch top seed in playoffs in Chris Paul’s return from fractured right thumb bit.ly/3DdRW6X – 12:02 AM Phoenix Suns @Suns
Missed this duo on the court. 💜 pic.twitter.com/OS7uakdpVM – 11:57 PM Kellan Olson @KellanOlson
Suns improve to 2-0 since Devin Booker launched a new beverage – 11:56 PM Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
“I’m sure The Valley is going nuts right now.” Monty Williams after #Suns reach 60 wins and clinch No.1 overall seed after tonight’s win at Denver. pic.twitter.com/TEJBOH42V9 – 11:55 PM Phoenix Suns @Suns
The vibe after 49. pic.twitter.com/bpM7KXEzCi – 11:53 PM Denver Nuggets @nuggets
Tonight’s final numbers📊 pic.twitter.com/znqhyTMtwM – 11:50 PM Ishmail Wainwright @Wainright24
DPOTY 👉🏽 @Mikal Bridges
MVP 👉🏽 @Devin Booker
COTY 👉🏽 Coach Monty
I said it and I stand on it 😤📍 – 11:49 PM Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
“When the blood is up to here, he has a another reservoir of energy.”
Monty Williams on Devin Booker. #Suns – 11:49 PM TJ McBride @TJMcBrideNBA
After the game tonight, Jeff Green angrily went straight towards the Suns locker room, according to two sources. He got held back by teammates and staffers and it did not escalate beyond words.
Still, there is no love lost between the Nuggets and Suns. – 11:46 PM Ryan Blackburn @NBABlackburn
Michael Malone was complimentary of Denver’s effort and execution tonight, especially offensively, outside of the turnovers and fouls.
It really did have the feeling of a playoff game, and the Suns were absolutely ready for it from the jump. – 11:45 PM Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
“We got you Coach.”
Monty Williams on challenging Devin Booker and Chris Paul during a timeout in the 3rd quarter to be better on the defensive end.
Williams said he thought that changed the game on the defensive end. #Suns – 11:44 PM Phoenix Suns @Suns
AN MVP PERFORMANCE.
Book with tonight’s @FanDuel Stat Line of the Game pic.twitter.com/rRjQhR5Zqr – 11:44 PM Kellan Olson @KellanOlson
Monty Williams said Chris Paul kept assuring Williams that he was doing OK and Williams wanted him to keep playing when CP3 started finding a rhythm. His minute total wound up at 30, higher than Williams wanted. – 11:44 PM Gerald Bourguet @GeraldBourguet
“I challenged those two in one of my timeouts in the third quarter, and both of them looked me in the eyes and shook their head and took it.” – Monty Williams on Devin Booker and Chris Paul making plays in that second half after being challenged defensively – 11:42 PM Kellan Olson @KellanOlson
Monty Williams called it somewhat silly that Devin Booker is not in the MVP conversation. – 11:41 PM Phoenix Suns @Suns
SEVEN STRAIGHT DUBS!
Download the Suns app to claim your 3 free Gorilla Bites and head to an @ATLWingsAZ in the next 24hrs!
📱 https://t.co/T8bUcCzb76 pic.twitter.com/OhuBko8C4M – 11:41 PM Gerald Bourguet @GeraldBourguet
Monty Williams said this was one of the best performances he’s seen Devin Booker have since he’s been here.
“To have 49 and 10 on a back-to-back…the fact that he’s not in the MVP conversation is somewhat silly.” – 11:40 PM Kellan Olson @KellanOlson
Monty Williams said that was one of the best Devin Booker performances he’s seen since he got to Phoenix when factoring in the circumstances of a second game of a back-to-back on the road. – 11:40 PM Jon Krawczynski @JonKrawczynski
What a monster night from Booker. Giving Wolves some life with that win in Denver – 11:40 PM StatMuse @statmuse
Chris Paul first game back:
17 PTS
13 AST
4 REB
6-10 FG
His 32nd double-double of the season. Point God. pic.twitter.com/aAtXJMrzb8 – 11:39 PM Ryan Blackburn @NBABlackburn
Michael Malone on the Suns:
“To beat that team, you have to play almost perfect basketball.” – 11:37 PM Phoenix Suns @Suns
Our time is now. pic.twitter.com/xi7mqriakJ – 11:37 PM Ryan Blackburn @NBABlackburn
Final rotations as the Nuggets lose to the Suns 140-130.
-Joker was exceptionally efficient, but 8 turnovers were a killer. Suns had 30 points on 16 DEN TOVs
-Bones was fantastic
-Denver played great. Still lost. pic.twitter.com/XF5y8JOdwT – 11:36 PM Tim Reynolds @ByTimReynolds
That sound you hear is NBA writers booking rooms in Phoenix for the first week of June … (just in case, of course) – 11:35 PM Phoenix Suns @Suns
The work doesn’t stop here. pic.twitter.com/HcQDG6eJRO – 11:34 PM Austin Krell @NBAKrell
Nuggets just 1 game up on the Wolves for the 7-seed, by my math. Very possible they fall to the Play-In tournament. Hard to see Jokic win MVP if that happens. – 11:34 PM StatMuse @statmuse
Devin Booker tonight:
49 PTS
10 AST
3 STL
16-25 FG
Most points by a Suns player since Jamal Crawford dropped 51 in 2019. pic.twitter.com/A6GTNb71a7 – 11:34 PM StatMuse @statmuse
Jokic tonight:
28 PTS
6 REB
6 AST
3 STL
9-10 FG
Joker is averaging 29/12/8 in March. pic.twitter.com/7sOxGaSz0x – 11:34 PM Phoenix Suns @Suns
THAT’S WIN NO. 6⃣0⃣ pic.twitter.com/4I02Yhokt6 – 11:32 PM Rob Perez @WorldWideWob
all of these great storylines in the NBA this regular season, then the Suns arrive and 2.5 hours later they become nothing more than memories. – 11:31 PM TJ McBride @TJMcBrideNBA
Agaisnt elite teams, the Nuggets have almost no margin for error. They got strong games from Barton, Bones, Jeff Green, Monte Morris and others, but without Jokic putting up 35+ points, Denver couldn’t pull it out. – 11:31 PM Phoenix Suns @Suns
SUNS WIN!
SUNS WIN!
SUNS WIN!
SUNS WIN!
SUNS WIN!
SUNS WIN!
SUNS WIN! pic.twitter.com/YpHRHedfAH – 11:30 PM Denver Nuggets @nuggets
Tough finish. pic.twitter.com/vRK6s6hyiu – 11:30 PM Rob Perez @WorldWideWob
how do i know CP3 is back?
Aaron Gordon fadeaway attempt…
“HELL NO!!!” pic.twitter.com/LP8KgZIIUs – 11:30 PM StatMuse @statmuse
Bones Hyland tonight:
23 PTS
3 AST
7-13 FG
4-8 3P
In March, Bones has scored double digits in 11 of 12 games. pic.twitter.com/F2sL2cX08V – 11:30 PM Chuck Cooperstein @coopmavs
The Mavericks lead over 6th place DEN is now 2.5 after Nuggets lose at home 140-130 to PHX. – 11:30 PM Gerald Bourguet @GeraldBourguet
Final: PHX 140, DEN 130
Booker: 49 Pts, 10 Ast, 3 Stl, 16-25 FG
Ayton: 16 Pts, 7 Reb, 8-14 FG
Paul: 17 Pts, 13 Ast
Bridges: 22 Pts, 8-9 FG
Jokic: 28 Pts, 6 Reb, 6 Ast, 9-10 FG
Suns are the 1st team to 60 wins and have wrapped up the 1-seed. No other team has 50 wins – 11:29 PM StatMuse @statmuse
Devin Booker has the most games with:
30 points (137)
40 points (17)
50 points (3)
60 points (1, tied)
70 points (1)
In Suns franchise history. pic.twitter.com/LRQ599aEy8 – 11:29 PM Kellan Olson @KellanOlson
Suns win their 60th game of the year to clinch the best record in the NBA and homecourt for the postseason.
Fitting to do it on the second game of a road back-to-back against two good teams to make it a 3-0 road trip. A great trip indeed. – 11:29 PM Christos Tsaltas @Tsaltas46
Devin Booker dominated in Denver over the Nuggets
49 points
16/25 FG
10 assists
4 rebounds
3 steals
The Suns put their 60th win this season. D-Book is ready for the Playoffs. Definetely! #RallyTheValley – 11:29 PM Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
“M-V-P! M-V-P!”
“BOOOOOOOO!”
Devin Booker season high 49.
#Suns wins 140-130.
No. 1 overall seed.
60 wins.
And Chris Paul is back.
Wow. – 11:29 PM Kellan Olson @KellanOlson
Season-high 49 points for Devin Booker. – 11:29 PM Tim Reynolds @ByTimReynolds
The road to the NBA title goes through Phoenix. The Suns just got win No. 60 and have clinched home-court advantage for the entirety of the playoffs. – 11:29 PM Christos Tsaltas @Tsaltas46
“M-V-P” chants for Devin Booker in Denver. #RallyTheValley – 11:28 PM Gerald Bourguet @GeraldBourguet
Season-high 49 points for Devin Booker, by the way – 11:28 PM Michael Singer @msinger
Second time in three games that “MVP” chants have boomed at Ball Arena for the opposing team’s best player. First Tatum. Now Booker. – 11:28 PM Gerald Bourguet @GeraldBourguet
Loud MVP chant for Devin Booker as he goes to the FT line. Nuggets fans that are still here aren’t happy about it and try to drown it out with boos – 11:28 PM Keith Smith @KeithSmithNBA
You better beat the Suns in the first 43 minutes, because you probably aren’t beating them in the final five minutes. – 11:28 PM Adam Mares @Adam_Mares
That felt like a 95th percentile game for this version of the Nuggets. – 11:27 PM Phoenix Suns @Suns
THAT’S A MILE HIGH FINISH! pic.twitter.com/w8uQiSGBJC – 11:27 PM Gerald Bourguet @GeraldBourguet
Second night of a back-to-back against a motivated Nuggets team shooting the lights out…and the Suns just take over in the 4th again. Impressive performance – 11:24 PM Gerald Bourguet @GeraldBourguet
Monty Williams challenged that call and it was successful. Suns ball with 45.2 seconds left, up 6 – 11:22 PM Ryan Blackburn @NBABlackburn
Denver’s gonna lose this game. They played about as well as one could ask of them. This was their best performance of the entire season from an execution standpoint.
It’s just a 90 second stretch here. A 3-point play there.
The Suns are insane. – 11:21 PM Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
Booker ran to the bench to ask for #Suns to review play as he believes the ball went off Nuggets.
#Suns up six with 44.8 seconds left. – 11:21 PM Phoenix Suns @Suns
HELLO THERE FROM MIKAL BRIDGES! pic.twitter.com/jZLxu7w0wR – 11:21 PM TJ McBride @TJMcBrideNBA
Nuggets played well for 3 quarters, but couldnt keep up the offensive onslaught for all 48 minutes while the Suns kept executing like a machine. – 11:20 PM Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
Paul in, Payne out. #Suns up eight with 1:47 left. – 11:18 PM Gordon Gross @GMoneyNuggs
I don’t mind the playoff tester against Phoenix. Booker is amazing tonight and Denver has some stuff to tighten up. But also it’s frustrating to keep having teaching moments for a team that should know its defensive rotations by this point in the season. – 11:17 PM Gerald Bourguet @GeraldBourguet
Remember when I said Mikal Bridges looked tired? Scrap that, because no matter how tired he is, that dude is still making plays – 11:17 PM TJ McBride @TJMcBrideNBA
The Suns can beat you in a dozen different ways. What a terrifyingly well-rounded team. – 11:16 PM Phoenix Suns @Suns
MIKAL BRIDGES HAMMER! OH MYYYYYYY – 11:16 PM Gerald Bourguet @GeraldBourguet
The Suns are a MACHINE – 11:15 PM Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
Crowder 3. #Suns up 10. – 11:15 PM Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
Bridges with fake, then goes right around Hyland for dunk
Fouled . Hits FT. #Suns up nine with under three minutes to go. – 11:15 PM TJ McBride @TJMcBrideNBA
Malone doubled down on offense by bringing Bones in for Jeff Green, but thats quite the gamble. I dont disagree with the move, but if they dont hit shots, this will get out of hand quickly. – 11:15 PM Gerald Bourguet @GeraldBourguet
Cam Payne has hit back-to-back buckets here, and the Suns look like they’re closing with Chris Paul capped at his current 28 minutes. Quite a luxury to be able to do that – 11:15 PM Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
Paul looking like a football coach bent over with hands on knees on the bench. #Suns up six with 3:08 left in game. – 11:14 PM Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
Payne in, Paul out.
Jokic to Gordon. Fouled by Ayton,
3PT play. #Suns up six as Payne answers. – 11:13 PM TJ McBride @TJMcBrideNBA
Jokic created 5 points right out of the timeout with a triple and a dish to Gordon for a dunk. – 11:13 PM Michael Singer @msinger
Bones coming back in for Jeff Green. Wondered how long it would take. – 11:13 PM Gordon Gross @GMoneyNuggs
The Nuggets are gonna look at the simple mistakes in this game and beat themselves up tomorrow. It’s all right there, but Phoenix is too good to give them extra help. – 11:12 PM Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
Jokic 3. #Suns lead down to five. – 11:12 PM Tim MacMahon @espn_macmahon
We discuss this on tomorrow’s The Hoop Collective, but I cannot imagine justifying leaving Devin Booker off an All-NBA ballot. At this point, the only question is whether he gets one of the first-team guard spots. – 11:12 PM TJ McBride @TJMcBrideNBA
Gut check time for the Nuggets. – 11:11 PM Kellan Olson @KellanOlson
18-8 Suns in the fourth quarter.
Really is something about turning a good trip into a great trip that takes it up a notch for these guys. – 11:11 PM Phoenix Suns @Suns
Keep battling. pic.twitter.com/GkvJjoyEj0 – 11:09 PM TJ McBride @TJMcBrideNBA
Nuggets getting outscored 18-8 in the 4th quarter with 4:29 left. – 11:09 PM Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
Bridges 3 off Booker feed.
#Suns up eight.
Timeout #Nuggets with 4:29 left in game. – 11:09 PM Gerald Bourguet @GeraldBourguet
I’m running out of things to say about Devin Booker. And the Phoenix Suns. And the Phoenix Suns in crunch-time.
This team is unreal. – 11:09 PM Michael Singer @msinger
That’s three turnovers in the last minute. #Nuggets only have themselves to blame right now. Suns up 8 with 4:29 left. – 11:09 PM Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
Booker bucket.
#Suns up five. Has 47. One short of season high. – 11:08 PM Gerald Bourguet @GeraldBourguet
47 for Devin Booker on 16-of-24 shooting now. That middy is a layup right now – 11:08 PM Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
Booker back in. #Suns – 11:05 PM Michael Singer @msinger
The Nuggets have 114 points halfway through the 4th, and Nikola Jokic has taken just seven shots. Seven guys in double-figures so far. – 11:04 PM Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
That looked like Paul’s pass hit Ayton in the face.
Turnover #Suns. Ayton seems OK.
Timeout Denver with 6:20 left in game. #Nuggets down one, 115-114. – 11:03 PM Dave Mason @DeuceMason
This Boogie-Biyombo exchange 😂😂😂 pic.twitter.com/9V8CYd6fyL – 11:02 PM Gerald Bourguet @GeraldBourguet
Ouch. Chris Paul just tried to zip a pass to the corner and hit Deandre Ayton in the face. Suns up 1 with 6:20 to go – 11:02 PM Kellan Olson @KellanOlson
Chris Paul looks like Chris Paul and we are approaching clutch minutes…. – 11:02 PM Rob Perez @WorldWideWob
every time Boogie Cousins chases CP3 i think about it. – 11:01 PM Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
Paul jumper. Suns up three. #Suns – 11:01 PM Phoenix Suns @Suns
That’s 11 3-pointers on the night! 👌
Tomorrow get a free Western Bacon Cheeseburger® at a Valley @CarlsJr with the purchase of a fountain drink! pic.twitter.com/ls8oAPPQED – 11:01 PM Gordon Gross @GMoneyNuggs
Boogie sometimes forgets he’s a big and wants the calls CP3 gets. Sorry big man, but if Jokic can’t get them you can’t either. Embiid can, but he apparently bought a ref upgrade package. – 11:00 PM Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
Boogie scores over Biyombo, flexes. #Suns up one as Bridges answers with 3. – 10:59 PM Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
Crowder in. Booker out.
8:54 left.
#Suns, #Nuggets tied.
Mark this time down. – 10:59 PM TJ McBride @TJMcBrideNBA
Bones Hyland just took a foul specifically to help Boogie stop from sponteneously combusting on the basketball court. – 10:58 PM Gerald Bourguet @GeraldBourguet
DeMarcus Cousins almost snapped on that foul from Bismack Biyombo, who was already apologizing. Then Boogie tries the rip-through, throws it at the backboard and is incensed nothing is called – 10:58 PM Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
Boogie held the ball after getting fouled by Biyombo as if he wanted to do something.
Thought better of it. Cooler heads prevailed. #Suns #Nuggets tied. – 10:58 PM Denver Nuggets @nuggets
Bizzy at the buzzer👀 pic.twitter.com/Jd1CWianR6 – 10:57 PM Phoenix Suns @Suns
Doing it all. pic.twitter.com/MUMSn9DDRX – 10:56 PM Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
Cousins called for offensive foul as Paul signaled other way even before Cousins dunked.
#Suns down 2. – 10:55 PM Phoenix Suns @Suns
Here we go. pic.twitter.com/tOfa9AiCEO – 10:55 PM Gordon Gross @GMoneyNuggs
The Suns are so good – and the Nuggets are still winning after 3. One more quarter to hold off the en fuego Phoenix team. Jokic is having a B-level game so far, which makes this even more impressive for Denver. Playoff sparks in this one for sure. – 10:55 PM Keith Smith @KeithSmithNBA
Booker getting the next 50-piece? – 10:54 PM Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
Boogie caught Biyombo rushing out, drove by for two.
#Suns down two as Biyombo slams on other end. – 10:54 PM Gerald Bourguet @GeraldBourguet
Devin Booker, at a game-high 30 minutes already, stays out there to start the 4th quarter – 10:54 PM Bobby Marks @BobbyMarks42
Devin Booker now up to 41 points heading into the 4Q.
A friendly reminder that Booker is super max extension eligible this offseason if he earns All-NBA. – 10:53 PM TJ McBride @TJMcBrideNBA
I don’t think Booker is coming out fo this game tonight. – 10:53 PM Ryan Blackburn @NBABlackburn
Devin Booker is still in the game. He hasn’t sat the second half. – 10:53 PM Denver Nuggets @nuggets
Buckle in🍿 pic.twitter.com/ifC2N6mkvo – 10:53 PM Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
Devin Booker with 43 (19 in 3rd)
Season high is 48.
He scored his career high 70 on this date in 2017 in Boston.
#Suns down 106-104 heading into 4th. #Nuggets pic.twitter.com/xm8VRDU5jU – 10:53 PM TJ McBride @TJMcBrideNBA
My three-quarter analysis from Nuggets vs Suns:
Everyone is good. – 10:52 PM Kevin O’Connor @KevinOConnorNBA
Suns-Nuggets in a close game entering the fourth, great time to tune in with Duke-Texas Tech at halftime. Chris Paul is back and Devin Booker has 43 points. Rookie Bones Hyland with 21 and Denver needs a win. – 10:52 PM Michael Singer @msinger
Bones Hyland draining a buzzer-beater to end the quarter, then talking his talk within ear shot of Chris Paul. That’s 23 and counting. Career-high is 27. – 10:51 PM Kellan Olson @KellanOlson
Devin Booker through three quarters is 14-of-20 from the field for 43 points. – 10:51 PM TJ McBride @TJMcBrideNBA
Booker has FOURTY THREE POINTS THROUGH THREE QUARTERS.
Oh, and it’s taken him just 20 shots to get there. – 10:51 PM Gerald Bourguet @GeraldBourguet
End of 3Q: DEN 106, PHX 104
Booker: 43 Pts, 6 Ast, 14-20 FG
Ayton: 16 Pts, 6 Reb, 8-14 FG
Paul: 11 Pts, 9 Ast
Jokic: 17 Pts, 6 Reb, 4 Ast – 10:51 PM Denver Nuggets @nuggets
BONES. BEATS THE BUZZER!!! – 10:51 PM Phoenix Suns @Suns
4⃣1⃣ pic.twitter.com/JohRnAIfBp – 10:50 PM Gerald Bourguet @GeraldBourguet
This is a magnificent Devin Booker performance – 10:50 PM Phoenix Suns @Suns
THAT DEVIN BOOKER HUSTLE! pic.twitter.com/6R8gso3L1C – 10:49 PM Gordon Gross @GMoneyNuggs
I would like Denver to take care of the ball, grab rebounds with both hands, and finish within 2 feet of the basket the rest of the game. TIA. – 10:46 PM Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
Booker steal of Jokic and jam.
He’s playing with a different edge.
Like really different.
Like this is personal tonight.
Like he wants 60 wins and the No. 1 seed now, not later.
#Suns down four with 2:07 left in 3rd. – 10:46 PM Ryan Blackburn @NBABlackburn
That’s Joker’s 7th turnover. He has not been great tonight. The Nuggets starters have busted their ass tonight. – 10:45 PM NBA Kicks @NBAKicks
Will Barton in a bright UA Flow FUTR X! #NBAKicks pic.twitter.com/6ug08HSmLW – 10:45 PM Phoenix Suns @Suns
DEVIN BOOKER IS EVERYWHERE! – 10:45 PM Bobby Marks @BobbyMarks42
There’s an interesting dynamic going on right now of trash talking between players and fans.
It seems like a continuous theme every night.
Devin Booker is Prime Example A – 10:44 PM Gerald Bourguet @GeraldBourguet
Devin Booker with 36 points on 12-of-18 shooting with 3 minutes to go in the 3rd quarter. Carrying the Suns tonight – 10:44 PM John Schuhmann @johnschuhmann
The Suns have clearly been super motivated all season. But when they clinch the best record in the league (which could happen tonight), do they turn off the switch? Hard to imagine it. – 10:43 PM Denver Nuggets @nuggets
🚨Air Gordon takeover🚨 pic.twitter.com/ppHAzmfgEg – 10:42 PM TJ McBride @TJMcBrideNBA
Devin Booker wants all the smoke. He is a monster right now. – 10:42 PM Duvalier Johnson @DuvalierJohnson
Devin Booker took this game VERY seriously.
Personal for him with the MVP conversation. – 10:41 PM Gordon Gross @GMoneyNuggs
The Nuggets hit a hundred points with 15 minutes left in the game. This is some 80s Nuggets-type scoring and Phoenix is staying right with them. – 10:41 PM Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
Devin Armani Booker is carrying the #Suns. Has 35 in 27 minutes.
Phoenix down seven with 2:52 left. – 10:41 PM Gerald Bourguet @GeraldBourguet
DEVIN BOOKER IS A BAD, BAD, ANGRY, BAD MAN – 10:40 PM Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
#Nuggets continue to maintain lead, up 100-92. Jokic with 17 and 7. #Suns – 10:40 PM Michael Singer @msinger
This is some of the most aggressive basketball the #Nuggets have played in a while. Nikola and AG are putting their heads down and bullying the Suns. Denver already with 42 points in the paint, and there’s still 3+ left in the third quarter. – 10:40 PM Phoenix Suns @Suns
Continue the climb. 🔥
Book passes @Amare Stoudemire to move into 6th all-time in Phoenix Suns scoring history. #BeLegendary pic.twitter.com/JNrscK1XUY – 10:39 PM Gerald Bourguet @GeraldBourguet
Devin Booker has 33 points on 11-of-17 shooting here in the 3rd quarter, but the Suns can’t get stops. Nuggets shooting 64% overall and 61% from 3 – 10:39 PM Phoenix Suns @Suns
Here comes Book & DA! pic.twitter.com/YdlUiuMbs6 – 10:38 PM Gordon Gross @GMoneyNuggs
Chris Paul screams at the refs til they change the call.
Marlowe: “That the benefit of having a future HOFer.”
Jokic, staring at the refs and the way they’ve called this game for him: pic.twitter.com/wJjJlUkm7o – 10:37 PM Denver Nuggets @nuggets
AG just won’t stop dunking😨😨 – 10:37 PM Gerald Bourguet @GeraldBourguet
Is it just me or does Mikal Bridges look kinda tired (finally)? – 10:36 PM Denver Nuggets @nuggets
This connection never gets old🤩 pic.twitter.com/1SqKOTx3Ou – 10:36 PM Gerald Bourguet @GeraldBourguet
Lol yup, Chris Paul is definitely back. Just campaigned to two different officials to get them to change an out-of-bounds call in Phoenix’s favor – 10:34 PM TJ McBride @TJMcBrideNBA
Booker is cooking anyone and everyone in front of him. Gordon in particular has been good but it just doesn’t matter. – 10:34 PM Phoenix Suns @Suns
CP👌 catch and shoot. pic.twitter.com/dQnexh0eNI – 10:32 PM TJ McBride @TJMcBrideNBA
I don’t know if @BrendanVogt has tweeted this yet, but the basketball between the Nuggets and Suns tonight whips ass. – 10:32 PM Gordon Gross @GMoneyNuggs
Denver’s “little” guards in this game, Monte Morris and Bones Hyland, are definitely looming large in this game. – 10:32 PM Denver Nuggets @nuggets
Monte is 4/4 from deep tonight… and got to the charity strike on this one👀🔒 pic.twitter.com/JyPVMUwCr0 – 10:31 PM Gerald Bourguet @GeraldBourguet
Suns down 7 and this one is getting chippy. Another playoff environment and you can tell Phoenix is still working out some kinks defensively with CP3 back. Both teams shooting better than 55% from 3 – 10:31 PM Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
Booker felt he got fouled on shot.
Went after pass, got steal.
Found Ayton for the lob dunk.
Gordon answers with dunk.
#Suns down seven as Morris scores. Timeout Phoenix with 6:43 left in the game. #Nuggets. – 10:30 PM TJ McBride @TJMcBrideNBA
Monte Morris has been so good. – 10:30 PM Kellan Olson @KellanOlson
The shotmaking in this game is ridiculous on both ends. Maybe this break in the action will slow down the pace a bit because this feels like what the Nuggets want. – 10:28 PM Ryan Blackburn @NBABlackburn
The Nuggets are incensed at Chris Paul and the Suns right now for doing CP3 antics. – 10:28 PM Gerald Bourguet @GeraldBourguet
Jeff Green gets hit with a technical foul after he and Chris Paul had words. Paul had stopped in front of Green running back and they collided. Green pushed him in the back to retaliate – 10:28 PM TJ McBride @TJMcBrideNBA
Jeff Green and Chris Paul were jawing at each other and Green ended up with a technical; not both of them. The Nuggets bench seems very unhappy and Green is still upset. – 10:27 PM Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
Paul stopped front of Green.
Then Green pushed Paul in the back.
Refs got between two, seemed to be mellowing out and then it got heated in a hurry.
Green tech. #Suns down seven. – 10:27 PM Michael Singer @msinger
Jeff Green and Chris Paul jawing at each other. Jeff Green just got a tech. – 10:27 PM Denver Nuggets @nuggets
MONTE CAN’T MISS🔒 – 10:26 PM Duvalier Johnson @DuvalierJohnson
Game sliders are up in this Denver vs. Phoenix game. – 10:26 PM Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
Barton 3. Paul in reactionary position. #Suns down four. – 10:26 PM Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
Booker over Gordon. #Suns up one. – 10:25 PM Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
Ayton short roll off #Paul feed. #Suns up two. – 10:25 PM Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
#Nuggets 68 #Suns 66 H.
Booker 24 in 17 minutes.
Ayton 10.
Paul 2 (1-of-2 FGs), 7 assists in 1st game back since fracturing right thumb.
Hyland 19 in 11 minutes off bench (PHX 16 bench points).
Barton 10.
Grizzlies rip Pacers by 30.
#Suns a win away from No. 1 overall seed. pic.twitter.com/dcwjB7J5o6 – 10:24 PM Denver Nuggets @nuggets
The record breaker👇 pic.twitter.com/JJ7Eq7Ibcs – 10:24 PM Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
Paul 3. Tie game. #Suns #Nuggets – 10:24 PM TJ McBride @TJMcBrideNBA
Gordon is on Booker and Barton is on Bridges to begin the 2nd half. – 10:22 PM Michael Singer @msinger
Jamal Murray ended halftime rebounding for his teammates. And then he jammed. pic.twitter.com/skAjnmTfnI – 10:22 PM Denver Nuggets @nuggets
Offense was clicking in the first🔥 pic.twitter.com/Luy4wX7dkW – 10:21 PM TJ McBride @TJMcBrideNBA
As Hyland continues to understand how his skills can be applied to NBA basketball, I think he is going to become good at drawing shooting fouls. He already has a good feel for how to get players out of postion and exploit them.
He is 5-7 from the foul line at half tonight. – 10:20 PM Duvalier Johnson @DuvalierJohnson
Nuggets up 68-66 at the half over Phoenix.
Quick pace in that half and tons of scoring. 19 combined 3-pointers from both teams & Booker has 24 points already.
Hyland has 19 pts including 4 3-pointers & Jokic has 9p/2a/4r.
If you’re Malone, what’s your message to the team? – 10:12 PM Wes Goldberg @wcgoldberg
Bones Hyland plays like it’s always March Madness. – 10:11 PM Denver Nuggets @nuggets
One half in the books👇 pic.twitter.com/bEPev1INLE – 10:10 PM Phoenix Suns @Suns
Close contest at the break. pic.twitter.com/OaultnA7aY – 10:09 PM Ryan Blackburn @NBABlackburn
Halftime rotations for the Nuggets as they lead the Suns 68-66:
-Bones Hyland has 19 points on 8 shots, got to the line 7 times
-Barton’s got 10 points and 4 assists, a strong secondary playmaker tonight
-Joker’s filled up the stat sheet but has 4 TOVs. Physicality has bothered pic.twitter.com/OZA2Eii9La – 10:09 PM Gordon Gross @GMoneyNuggs
Denver is doing the hard stuff fine tonight, and missing some of the easy stuff. But the Nuggets did enough to lead after a half. Fun beginning to the game – now Denver needs to bring their offense out again after halftime. – 10:08 PM Adam Mares @Adam_Mares
Nuggets with 10 made 3s in the first half. 10 of 19 shooting.
Suns with 9 made 3s. 9 of 17 shooting. – 10:08 PM Michael Singer @msinger
#Nuggets just hit eight 3-pointers in the second quarter … and only lead Phoenix 68-66 at halftime.
Book has 24 already, and Denver’s 8 TOs (for 12 points) killing them. – 10:07 PM Gerald Bourguet @GeraldBourguet
Halftime: DEN 68, PHX 66
Booker: 24 Pts, 8-11 FG
Ayton: 10 Pts, 4 Reb, 5-9 FG
Craig: 8 Pts, 2-4 3P
Hyland: 19 Pts, 4-6 3P – 10:06 PM Denver Nuggets @nuggets
He’s 35, btw. pic.twitter.com/R8wGKdxkYy – 10:05 PM Michael Singer @msinger
Pretty crazy defensive sequence just now from Nikola Jokic. Stepped out on Torrey Craig, closed him off, then recovered to strip the ball from Ayton once he got it down low. Quick, not fast. – 10:05 PM Phoenix Suns @Suns
Three the hard way. pic.twitter.com/qJnAPL4gxs – 10:04 PM Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
“Sprint and turn”
I can promise you Monty Williams is going to say that more than once at halftime.
#Suns just gave up a layup after a made basket. Tie game with 52 seconds left. – 10:04 PM TJ McBride @TJMcBrideNBA
Denver is REALLY pushing the pace tonight. About as clear of evidence as their is that Denver is taking this game very seriously. – 10:03 PM TJ McBride @TJMcBrideNBA
I’ll have words up later this weekend on @MileHighSports about how important Monte Morris is to the Nuggets postseason success.
His ability to blend off-ball shooting and creation with on-ball initiation is massive and Denver needs him to stay aggresive. – 10:01 PM Ryan Blackburn @NBABlackburn
Well, the Nuggets showed up for this one, that’s for sure. – 10:00 PM Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
Crowder called for tech after being called for foul. #Suns down five as Jokic hits tech FT and Morris hits 3. – 9:59 PM Denver Nuggets @nuggets
Etched in Nuggets history.
🦴 116 🦴 pic.twitter.com/knsrRkucp3 – 9:59 PM Gordon Gross @GMoneyNuggs
Jokic is flexing and grabbing his hand, grimacing. Nuggets fans everywhere: pic.twitter.com/HWoHe9QcyS – 9:58 PM Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
Booker to the rim, foul called on Jokic, hits FT. Has 20 in 14 minutes. #Suns – 9:58 PM Duvalier Johnson @DuvalierJohnson
Nikola Jokic is holding his wrist after heading to the FT line.
Still goes and shoots it but a bit of worry as it is his wrist that he injured earlier in the season. – 9:57 PM Gerald Bourguet @GeraldBourguet
Nikola Jokic was looking at his hand and wringing it out after getting fouled by Deandre Ayton in the post. Proceeded to miss both free throws – 9:56 PM Phoenix Suns @Suns
Back-to-back-to-back NINE-NINE triples.!!
👌👌👌 pic.twitter.com/ljFqbLCyHo – 9:56 PM Duvalier Johnson @DuvalierJohnson
Bones Hyland broke Jamal Murray’s rookie 3-point record with 116 on the season.
There are still eight games remaining on the season and his rookie campaign started a bit slow with multiple setbacks.
Bright future for him and he only seems to be getting better. – 9:55 PM Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
Paul out, Payne in. #Suns down three as Ayton scores again. Has six. – 9:54 PM TJ McBride @TJMcBrideNBA
Bones Hyland’s first half stat line:
19 points
(5-8 FG)
2 rebounds
2 assists
1 block
0 turnvoers
+9 in 11 minutes – 9:54 PM Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
Booker back in. #Suns down five as Ayton scores. Has 4 after career-high 35-point night last night at Minnesota. – 9:54 PM TJ McBride @TJMcBrideNBA
As Malone loves to say, tonight is a shootout at an O.K. Corral between the Nuggets and Suns and it is a ton of fun. – 9:53 PM Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
#Suns got to find an answer for Hyland. Has 19. #Nuggets up 53-46. – 9:53 PM Duvalier Johnson @DuvalierJohnson
Bones Hyland is feeling it.
He has 19 points as he has hit four 3-pointers.
Heat check moments and that’s STILL not stopping him.
Denver is up 53-46 with 5:33 left in the half. – 9:53 PM Gerald Bourguet @GeraldBourguet
Bones Hyland has 19 first-half points and is TALKING right now. Suns down 7.
This feels familiar – 9:53 PM Denver Nuggets @nuggets
And with that three, Bones breaks Jamal’s rookie three point record.
BUILT DIFFERENT🦴 pic.twitter.com/hoN9qcw0kz – 9:53 PM Michael Singer @msinger
Bones is in his very own 3-point shooting competition right now. Dude’s already got 19 points in 10 minutes on four 3-pointers. – 9:52 PM Adam Mares @Adam_Mares
The Suns have sooooooooo many gus who can beat you. – 9:52 PM TJ McBride @TJMcBrideNBA
That’s 19 points for Bones and there is still over 6 minutes left in the first half. – 9:52 PM Michael C. Wright @mikecwright
Bones ballin. – 9:51 PM Gerald Bourguet @GeraldBourguet
Mikal Bridges just took his first two shot attempts of the game midway through the 2nd quarter. Made both of ’em – 9:51 PM Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
Bridges bucket out of timeout.
Remember that pullup he started to develop last season.
He’s now added a fadeaway element to it. Follows with a 3.
Has five. #Suns down one. – 9:51 PM TJ McBride @TJMcBrideNBA
Bones. Again. – 9:51 PM Gordon Gross @GMoneyNuggs
The reason I don’t care about Boogie’s stats: the bench unit has turned into a meat-grinder for opposing teams, whether or not they are deploying starters. The Bones / Boogie bench just competes. Didn’t have this the first half of the year. – 9:50 PM TJ McBride @TJMcBrideNBA
Bones Hyland has the shooting skill to get crazy hot as a scorer & the unselfishness to be a creator, but what I didn’t expect was his ability to mesh those skills together.
His decision making, even when he is scorching hot, is strong & he’s always looking for his teammates. – 9:49 PM Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
Former #Suns guard Davon Reed going at Shamet, gets two.
Timeout Phoenix. #Suns down three with 7:55 left in half. – 9:49 PM Michael Singer @msinger
Bones Hyland getting the Torrey Craig treatment while Chris Paul stays on Davon Reed. Sign of respect.
Denver’s bench outscoring Phoenix’s 23-11. #Nuggets winning despite the Suns shooting 58% (!) from 3. – 9:48 PM Gerald Bourguet @GeraldBourguet
3 straight 3s for Jae Crowder. Bossman misses the fourth but good to see him knocking those down tonight – 9:47 PM Denver Nuggets @nuggets
Boogie ain’t here to mess around💪 pic.twitter.com/8P67J3Llj0 – 9:47 PM Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
Crowder has the touch tonight.
3-of-4 from 3.
That was a six-point trip for #Suns earlier.
Up 41-40. – 9:46 PM Adam Mares @Adam_Mares
Bones is special – 9:46 PM Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
Paul upset thinking he was fouled while dribbling.
This is going to be interesting to see how he flows back into the offense.
They played one way with him and a little differently without him. #Suns down two as Crowder doesn’t hit FT after getting fouled on a 3. – 9:45 PM Gerald Bourguet @GeraldBourguet
Handle isn’t quite 100% back yet for Chris Paul. He’s dribbled himself into a couple of tight spots and lost control there. This is the shaking off the rust part – 9:44 PM Phoenix Suns @Suns
1⃣7⃣ of ’em already. pic.twitter.com/DVM52Q4meR – 9:43 PM Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
Boogie for 3. #Suns down five. – 9:43 PM Denver Nuggets @nuggets
The pass, and the finish🙌
🦴 x 🕺 pic.twitter.com/nIWC3I5g2r – 9:43 PM TJ McBride @TJMcBrideNBA
It appears Malone is going with Davon Reed over Bryn Forbes tonight; at least in the first half. – 9:42 PM Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
Boogie Cousins with the bucket, draws foul on McGee.
#Suns down three as Cousins hits FT. – 9:41 PM Phoenix Suns @Suns
Tied up after one. pic.twitter.com/QmHdRBoUTJ – 9:40 PM Denver Nuggets @nuggets
We have a close one on our hands👇 pic.twitter.com/zETmNT0C6R – 9:40 PM Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
Tied at 31-31 after one.
Booker with 17 in 12 minutes (5-of-7 FGs, 5-of-7 FTs).
Paul 2 points, three assists in six minutes. #Suns – 9:39 PM Ryan Blackburn @NBABlackburn
Alright, fun quarter. Bones really is something. – 9:39 PM Gerald Bourguet @GeraldBourguet
End of 1Q: PHX 31, DEN 31
Booker: 17 Pts, 5-7 FG
Craig: 5 Pts, 2-3 FG
Paul: 2 Pts, 3 Ast
Jokic: 8 Pts, 3 Reb – 9:38 PM Gordon Gross @GMoneyNuggs
I still want someone to ask Bones about playing on double-rims in the park and how that shaped his shot. It rips the nets so easily when he’s hot, really pure for a lower release point. – 9:37 PM Michael Singer @msinger
You can deduce by the amount of Bones Thugs & Harmony that’s been played in the first quarter that Bones Hyland has gone off. – 9:37 PM Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
Hyland has changed this game in favor of #Nuggets.
Has 10. Tie game as Payne hits 3. #Suns #Nuggets – 9:37 PM Denver Nuggets @nuggets
Bones ‘n Boogie… name a better duo coming off the bench – 9:37 PM TJ McBride @TJMcBrideNBA
Bones Hyland is changing speeds so well in the paint. It is getting defenders leaning the way he wants and he is drawing fouls and converting shots. Good offensvie start from the rookie lead guard. – 9:37 PM Phoenix Suns @Suns
Corner Craig. 👌 pic.twitter.com/K6qA5pnUEz – 9:36 PM TJ McBride @TJMcBrideNBA
Austin Rivers has two pretty terrible foul calls agaisnt him considering how physical the officials have allowd this game to be.
I dont care if a game is called soft or physical; just stay consistnet. – 9:36 PM Gordon Gross @GMoneyNuggs
Suns are flat out mugging Denver. “The game is gonna be a physical, playoff type matchup,” says Katy Winge. Malone sends Davon Reed in, probably wearing this mask. pic.twitter.com/8pTJC4db1c – 9:35 PM Ryan Blackburn @NBABlackburn
Well, it’s pretty clear that Booker is TREATED like an MVP caliber player. – 9:35 PM Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
McGee, who also played at Denver, with the lob finish.
#Suns down 3 as Hyland for 3. Has 7. – 9:35 PM Gerald Bourguet @GeraldBourguet
Bones Hyland had something to say to the Suns bench after hitting a corner 3.
Apparently the rookie learned nothing from the Timberwolves game last night – 9:35 PM TJ McBride @TJMcBrideNBA
Bones with a triple in front of the Suns bench and Hyland made sure they heard what he had to say after the shot fell. – 9:35 PM Denver Nuggets @nuggets
AG that is TUFFFFF😤 pic.twitter.com/poCTOKNswp – 9:34 PM TJ McBride @TJMcBrideNBA
Davon Reed is in for…Bryn Forbes? I know defense on Booker is important but that unit has been working together very well. Seems strange to swtich it up now. – 9:34 PM Michael Singer @msinger
Rare Davon Reed sighting with two minutes left in the first quarter. I maintain the #Nuggets could use him in a playoff series. And I promise you Malone trusts him. – 9:34 PM Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
Payne responded to having Hyland block his shot to really getting after him on the other end defensively.
Probably got after it a little too much.
Picked up second foul. Shamet in. #Suns, #Nuggets tied at 24-24. – 9:34 PM Phoenix Suns @Suns
Replaying this over and over. pic.twitter.com/zdYBh6iIb6 – 9:32 PM Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
Devin Booker was still talking to the ref as they turned down the lights for a #Nuggets dance team performance.
Was called for foul in transition trying to defend Hyland.
#Suns up three with 2:41 left in 1st quarter. – 9:30 PM Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
Devin Booker is still talking to the ref as they’ve turned down the lights for a #Nuggets dance team performance.
Was called for foul in transition trying to defend Hyland.
#Suns up three with 2:41 left in 1st quarter. – 9:29 PM Denver Nuggets @nuggets
Not many can pull this off against CP3👀🃏 pic.twitter.com/veelSKIB3Y – 9:28 PM TJ McBride @TJMcBrideNBA
Bones Hyland lost Torrey Craig on his first defensive possession. It was a stright backdoor cut when Hyland got caught ball watching again. He has to work on that. – 9:27 PM Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
Craig backdoor cut for layup back where he did work for #Nuggets. – 9:27 PM Denver Nuggets @nuggets
Nikola adds a little shake ‘n bake action👀 pic.twitter.com/FPxOcjzzDT – 9:26 PM Gordon Gross @GMoneyNuggs
Watching guards get breathed on for fouls while Jokic is out fighting orcas bare-handed without a whistle is not frustrating at all, no sir. – 9:26 PM Kellan Olson @KellanOlson
That’s 15 points for Devin Booker in the first 7 minutes of the first quarter. – 9:25 PM Phoenix Suns @Suns
Welcome back, @Chris Paul! 👏 pic.twitter.com/Xya4EFL1H9 – 9:25 PM Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
Paul out. Payne in. #Suns up two as Booker has 15. – 9:25 PM Gerald Bourguet @GeraldBourguet
Devin Booker has 15 of the Suns’ first 19 points on 5-of-6 shooting.
If only he shot 3s in flurries, or dunked the ball more – 9:25 PM Ryan Blackburn @NBABlackburn
Austin Rivers comes in, immediately gets a horsecrap shooting foul against him where Booker falls down. – 9:24 PM Phoenix Suns @Suns
That’s deep. pic.twitter.com/m9AnuT5aeq – 9:24 PM Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
Booker has 14 in 7 minutes.
#Suns up one – 9:23 PM Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
Jokic steals ball from Paul.
A little friendly verbal exchange afterward I think. #Sun s – 9:22 PM Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
Suns literally has like a student section behind their bench that’s cheering and chanting “MVP! MVP! ” for Booker.
Paul gets first bucket on his first shot.
Timeout Denver. Tied 15-15 with 6:33 left in the 1st. #Suns – 9:20 PM Michael Singer @msinger
Furious pace to this one so far. Book is cooking with 11 in 5:30, and you could see Barton/Monte discussing their defensive lapse on one of the 3-pointers. Joker, already 3-of-3 with 2 dimes, playing aggressive. – 9:19 PM Gerald Bourguet @GeraldBourguet
Props to the large contingent of Suns fans behind Phoenix’s bench here in Denver. That looks like a student section at a college game right now – 9:18 PM Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
Chris Paul looks fine. Throwing the ball with his right hand, dribbling with his right hand and finding the hot hand.
Booker with 11. #Suns down 15-13. – 9:17 PM Gerald Bourguet @GeraldBourguet
Devin Booker has 11 of the Suns’ first 13 points. Just another one of those first quarters for the fringe All-NBA selection! – 9:17 PM Ryan Blackburn @NBABlackburn
The Nuggets are doing the thing where they turn a 10-point lead into a deficit with easy mistakes. – 9:17 PM TJ McBride @TJMcBrideNBA
Jokic had Booker swtiched onto him but he allowed the play to reset so he can screen for Barton and get him going early. – 9:14 PM Phoenix Suns @Suns
Book with the first. pic.twitter.com/X82lHUi2ic – 9:13 PM Gerald Bourguet @GeraldBourguet
Devin Booker hits his first shot on the baseline, then grins and points to a young Suns fan sitting courtside who was losing his mind – 9:12 PM TJ McBride @TJMcBrideNBA
Nuggets have Barton on Booker with Gordon on Bridges to start. – 9:12 PM TJ McBride @TJMcBrideNBA
Nuggets win the tip and Denver vs Phoenix is underway. – 9:11 PM Denver Nuggets @nuggets
Go time – 9:11 PM Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
Dont know whose face that was up on the big screen when #Suns starting 5 was announced.
I just know that wasn’t Devin Booker when his name was called. #Suns – 9:07 PM Jordan Schultz @Schultz_Report
#Packers’ FA OL Billy Turner to the #Broncos on a one-year deal, per source. Turner will once again play for Nathaniel Hackett. Should start in Denver. – 9:07 PM Phoenix Suns @Suns
😁 pic.twitter.com/755T727a1w – 9:06 PM Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
Chris Paul just did a self lob two-handed dunk that got his teammates jacked up.
Thumb looked fine there. #Suns – 9:01 PM Gerald Bourguet @GeraldBourguet
Every game midway through warmups, someone from the Suns bounces the ball high in the air and dunks it while everyone watches. Tonight it was Chris Paul, and everybody gathered around the basket, going wild when he threw it down – 9:01 PM Phoenix Suns @Suns
Point God dressed and ready to go. pic.twitter.com/MnncSgUbQ6 – 8:58 PM Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
Chris Paul has the thumb taped up. #Suns – 8:52 PM Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
He’s back.
Chris Paul. #Suns pic.twitter.com/6Ozy2U6wPr – 8:51 PM Gerald Bourguet @GeraldBourguet
Chris Paul is back and Devin Booker looks pumped pic.twitter.com/hr5vxaLN83 – 8:51 PM Ryan Blackburn @NBABlackburn
The entire Suns roster just ran on the floor hooting and hollering, throwing their warmups in the air prior to hopping into layup lines. – 8:50 PM Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
“It’s good to have him back. He’s been working diligently to get back and not just get back, but play at the level that he wants to play. I’m sure the guys are jacked up about it.” Monty Williams
Chris Paul (thumb) returns tonight. #Suns https://t.co/QITkQBTUHv via @azcentral pic.twitter.com/fAcQzH19zJ – 8:39 PM Denver Nuggets @nuggets
Your first 🖐 pic.twitter.com/e3IQBxdUKb – 8:34 PM Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
Monty Williams said he doesn’t see Chris Paul playing the 28 to 32 minutes he normally does in first game back from fractured right thumb he suffered Feb. 16 vs. Houston. Has missed 15 games.
With Mile High altitude in Denver, curious to see how he looks conditioning wise. #Suns pic.twitter.com/jmqiP0G5Bn – 8:32 PM Phoenix Suns @Suns
It’s been a minute. 😌 pic.twitter.com/QUNm6int6x – 8:30 PM Ryan Blackburn @NBABlackburn
Very interested to see how the Nuggets approach tonight. Will probably start like just any other game, but I wonder how seriously the Suns double Jokić. It hasn’t been their MO in the past. – 8:27 PM Denver Nuggets @nuggets
Wholesome Nikola x Torrey content🥲 pic.twitter.com/LKkT9iSJXy – 8:09 PM Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
Phoenix #Suns All-Star Chris Paul returns for Thursday’s game at Denver https://t.co/QITkQBTUHv via @azcentral pic.twitter.com/SpDtGVSIq5 – 8:06 PM Kellan Olson @KellanOlson
Grizzlies are about to tip off in their own second game of a back-to-back. They play at home again and face the Pacers.
A Memphis loss or Suns win and Phoenix clinches the top seed for the postseason. – 8:02 PM Phoenix Suns @Suns
Tonight’s @BannerHealth Health update: pic.twitter.com/6nXb3n3iKx – 8:00 PM Denver Nuggets @nuggets
Bones rolled up REPPIN’ @VCU_Hoops tonight🥶
Only right @BizzyBones11 🐏 pic.twitter.com/NqMnuBZzeE – 7:48 PM Gerald Bourguet @GeraldBourguet
Monty said he doesn’t usually give his thoughts on MVP, and he knows the 3 big names are Nikola Jokic, Joel Embiid and Giannis Antetokounmpo, but he looked online at one MVP list, saw Devin Booker was No. 9 and had to question what the criteria for the award is – 7:40 PM Gerald Bourguet @GeraldBourguet
“It’s good to have him back.”
Monty Williams said Chris Paul is officially in for tonight’s game and has a target minute range in mind, but can’t cookie cut it. He’s going to keep an eye on CP3, but it won’t he his usual minutes – 7:36 PM Kellan Olson @KellanOlson
Monty Williams said Chris Paul has been working diligently to come back and play at the level Paul wants to reach every night. Monty has a number in his head tonight for a minute total and said it won’t be around the usual 28-32. – 7:34 PM Andrew Greif @AndrewGreif
The Clippers list Robert Covington as questionable to play against the 76ers with a sprained right hand. Covington jammed that hand in the loss at Denver. – 7:33 PM Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
Chris Paul IN. #Suns – 7:32 PM Denver Nuggets @nuggets
You may have heard the hype for Joker’s fit tonight…
So, you know what to do, Nuggets Nation. Hit us with 500 likes and we release the video👇 – 7:30 PM Phoenix Suns @Suns
Locked-in.
@beatsbydre | #BeatsOnTheRoad pic.twitter.com/POCEGHurMo – 7:29 PM Gerald Bourguet @GeraldBourguet
“It’s kinda scary.”
Michael Malone said he was hoping Chris Paul would return soon, just not tonight. Called him “arguably the greatest PG of all time” and called attention to the Suns being able to go 11-4 without him – 7:16 PM Devin Booker @DevinBook
Today is a great day pic.twitter.com/lxnQCxGzJ1 – 7:14 PM Denver Nuggets @nuggets
We got Levi in the house as our Nugget for a Day! We’re so happy to partner with Make-A-Wish to have him on board tonight! pic.twitter.com/gZtPFxrB22 – 7:12 PM Michael Singer @msinger
Walked into Ball Arena ahead of Nikola Jokic. His suit game is 💪🏼💪🏼 tonight. He turned into the #Nuggets locker room and got some reactions! – 6:55 PM Phoenix Suns @Suns
What’s good, @Chris Paul. 👋 pic.twitter.com/OAdY1Wts41 – 6:44 PM Gerald Bourguet @GeraldBourguet
Devin Booker is not going to win MVP, and he won’t finish above that Jokic/Embiid/Giannis trio. But those 4th/5th spots? He should absolutely be in there.
And for those wondering why that matters, it’s because we’ve got national writers questioning whether he’s even All-NBA – 5:37 PM Kellan Olson @KellanOlson
Devin Booker in the 11 games he played without Chris Paul: 28.2 PPG, 4.6 RPG, 7.0 APG, 2.6 TPG, 1.8 SPG, 52.1 FG%, 40.3 3P%, 89.8 FT%
8-3 record while Booker actually took LESS shots. 20.8 FGA/G with Paul and 19.7 FGA/G without Paul. – 5:33 PM Christopher Hine @ChristopherHine
Here’s the game story from last night’s loss to Phoenix with postgame quotes: startribune.com/timberwolves-h… – 5:10 PM Vivek Jacob @vivekmjacob
Gareth Bale is pure story book – 5:09 PM Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
It’s all about playoffs for Deandre Ayton after career-high game against Towns, T-Wolves (w/video) #Suns azcentral.com/story/sports/n… via @azcentral – 5:02 PM Ryan Blackburn @NBABlackburn
Mentally preparing myself for the Nuggets to run a bunch of drop coverage tonight and for @Matt Moore to turn to me every time and ask “why are they still in drop?!” – 4:59 PM Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
“That’s the key for us, getting to the playoffs healthy and at full strength.” Devin Booker
Phoenix #Suns All-Star Chris Paul probable for Thursday’s game at Denver https://t.co/QITkQBCjPX via @azcentral pic.twitter.com/vhJqpKR2bv – 4:12 PM Kurt Helin @basketballtalk
Clippers’ Marcus Morris on losing to Nuggets in 2020 playoffs: ‘We weren’t in the bubble, we’d beat the s— out of them’ nba.nbcsports.com/2022/03/24/cli… – 3:54 PM Oleh Kosel @OlehKosel
CJ McCollum has averages of 26.1 points, 5.0 rebounds and 6.7 assists in 16 games for the Pelicans.
Here’s the list of NBA players with those averages or better to this point of the 2021-22 season:
Luka Doncic
Ja Morant
Nikola Jokic pic.twitter.com/sE9VNzE0mQ – 3:42 PM Denver Nuggets @nuggets
Want to warm up like you’re in the league? JMyke has you covered with his pregame playlist🔥 pic.twitter.com/COZMaOwbyR – 3:40 PM Phoenix Suns @Suns
New episode alert
Go behind the scenes with Suns Director of Strength and Conditioning Cory Schlesinger and his versatile training creation, “The Box,” on tomorrow’s episode of Courtside, brought to you by @Gatorade.
📺: https://t.co/FuZqNKeToa pic.twitter.com/PXM8AfOMPH – 3:38 PM Christopher Hine @ChristopherHine
Naz Reid on what Wolves learned last 2 games: “Camaraderie between the other teams. Just for instance yesterday, the Suns, they were down but they didn’t get discouraged. I feel like that’s something that we need to take on. It’s something that will take us to the next level.” – 3:32 PM Gerald Bourguet @GeraldBourguet
With Chris Paul likely to return tonight, now is a good time to review how the Suns grew without him, from Mikal Bridges and Deandre Ayton to Devin Booker, Cam Payne and more
Part 1: bit.ly/3NbsJP5
Part 2: bit.ly/3Jvq4O7 – 3:21 PM Chris Haynes @ChrisBHaynes
Phoenix Suns star Chris Paul will indeed play tonight against the Denver Nuggets after being out 15 games with a fractured left thumb, league sources tell @YahooSports. – 3:20 PM Phoenix Suns @Suns
We are proud to award Dr. Alicia Ruiz, owner and veterinarian at Central Phoenix Animal Hospital, with the 2022 Los Suns Small Business MVP Award and $5,000 courtesy of @efirstbank!
Congratulations Dr. Ruiz! 👏 pic.twitter.com/IJZadD1eBr – 3:13 PM Sam Amick @sam_amick
As reported here earlier this week, Chris Paul looks likely to return way ahead of schedule – tonight at Denver. And the Suns just kept dominating without him: 11-4 in all. Story here, at @TheAthletic
theathletic.com/3199436/?sourc… – 3:02 PM Gerald Bourguet @GeraldBourguet
After missing 15 games with a 6-8 week timeframe to return, Chris Paul is probable for tonight’s game in Denver, just over 5 weeks after the initial injury. Suns went 11-4 without him.
Cam Johnson remains out. – 3:01 PM