Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal each scored 27 points and the Phoenix Suns beat the Denver Nuggets 110-100 on Wednesday night in the nightcap to the NBA’s Christmas slate of games.
Nuggets Suns Basketball Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant falls to the floor after getting fouled by Denver Nuggets guard Russell Westbrook during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, Dec. 25, 2024, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
AP Photo/Rick Scuteri
Nuggets Suns Basketball Denver Nuggets guard Russell Westbrook (4) drives on Phoenix Suns forward Royce O'Neale during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, Dec. 25, 2024, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
AP Photo/Rick Scuteri
Nuggets Suns Basketball Denver Nuggets guard Christian Braun gets fouled by Phoenix Suns center Jusuf Nurkic (20) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, Dec. 25, 2024, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
AP Photo/Rick Scuteri
Nuggets Suns Basketball Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic scores on Phoenix Suns guard Tyus Jones during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, Dec. 25, 2024, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
AP Photo/Rick Scuteri
Suns Nuggets Basketball Denver Nuggets guard Jalen Pickett, right, drives past Phoenix Suns guard Monte Morris in the second half of an NBA basketball game Monday, Dec. 23, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
AP Photo/David Zalubowski
Nuggets Suns Basketball Denver Nuggets guard Christian Braun drives on Phoenix Suns guard Tyus Jones during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, Dec. 25, 2024, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
AP Photo/Rick Scuteri
Nuggets Suns Basketball Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray drives between Phoenix Suns guard Monte Morris and center Oso Ighodaro during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, Dec. 25, 2024, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
AP Photo/Rick Scuteri
Nuggets Suns Basketball Denver Nuggets guard Russell Westbrook (4) drives past Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, Dec. 25, 2024, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
PHOENIX (AP) — Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal each scored 27 points and the Phoenix Suns beat the Denver Nuggets 110-100 on Wednesday night in the nightcap to the NBA’s Christmas slate of games.
The Nuggets blew out Phoenix 117-90 on Monday night in Denver, but the Suns put up much more of a fight despite playing without Devin Booker (groin) and Grayson Allen (concussion protocol).
Phoenix led by seven after three quarters and stretched it to 99-81 by the midpoint of the fourth quarter. The Suns pushed the lead to 15 and held off the Nuggets down the stretch to end a three-game losing streak.
Nikola Jokic had 25 points and 15 rebounds to lead the Nuggets. Michael Porter Jr. added 22 and Russell Westbrook had 17.
Jamal Murray had 13 points, six rebounds and six assists after missing the game Monday game with a sprained ankle.
The Suns led by nine early after making six of their first seven 3-pointers, but the teams traded shots the rest of a hot-shooting first half.
Takeaways
Nuggets: Denver got back Murray, but couldn’t match the intensity of Monday’s blowout. Jokic scored seven points after halftime and the Nuggets shot 8 of 29 from 3-point range.
Suns: Phoenix might have been missing two of its best shooters, but still 11 of 36 from 3-point range. Monte Morris gave the Suns a nice lift off the bench with 11 points and three assists.
Key moment
The Suns took advantage of Jokic resting late in the third quarter and early in the fourth, stretching the lead to 12 before he returned.
Key stat
The Suns are at their best when they get out in transition and outscored the Nuggets 15-6 on the break.
Up next
On Friday, the Nuggets host Cleveland, and the Suns host Dallas.