In a thrilling matchup on March 24, 2026, the Denver Nuggets narrowly defeated the Phoenix Suns 125-123 at PHX Arena. The game showcased stellar performances, particularly from Nuggets’ star Nikola Jokic, who recorded 23 points, 17 rebounds, and 17 assists, marking his NBA-leading 29th triple-double of the season.
The Nuggets’ victory was crucial as they have now won six of their last eight games, positioning themselves just 1.5 games behind the Los Angeles Lakers for the No. 3 spot in the Western Conference. In contrast, the Suns have struggled recently, suffering their sixth loss in seven games and currently sitting at No. 7 in the standings.
Jokic made a decisive contribution, hitting a go-ahead basket with a 12-foot jumper with just 11.5 seconds remaining. Despite a valiant effort from the Suns, led by Devin Booker, who scored 22 points and provided 8 assists, they were unable to secure the win. Booker had a chance to clinch the game with a potential winning 3-pointer, but his shot bounced off the rim.
Jamal Murray also played a key role for the Nuggets, adding 21 points, while Tim Hardaway Jr. contributed 18 points off the bench. The game was tightly contested, with the Suns trailing 117-109 with 3:19 left on the clock but managing to fight their way back into contention.
The Nuggets have battled injuries throughout the season but are now nearing full strength, which could be a pivotal factor as they head into the final stretch of the regular season. The Suns, on the other hand, will need to regroup quickly as they prepare to host the Utah Jazz on Saturday.
Next up, the Nuggets will host the Dallas Mavericks on Wednesday, looking to continue their winning momentum. As the playoff picture begins to take shape, both teams will be eager to solidify their positions in the Western Conference.
