Even though the Phoenix Suns do not have Chris Paul, Nuggets they will still play a series starting on Friday.
The Suns defeated the Nuggets 121-114 in Game 3 with to Devin Booker’s 47 points, 9 assists, 6 rebounds, and 3 steals. The victory prevented the Suns from falling behind 0-3 in the Western Conference playoffs, a game that was all but over when Paul was declared out for at least a week due to a groyne injury suffered in Game 2.
The Nu ggets are up 2-1 going into Game 4 which is set for 8 p.m. ET Sunday (TNT) in Phoenix.
Suns and Nuggets
The actual move by Phoenix was to double down on Booker and Kevin Durant in the wake of the departure of their future Hall of Fame point guard. While Durant scored 39 points on 12-of-31 shooting with 9 rebounds and 8 assists, Booker had a 20-of-25 shooting night.
For Booker, the evening equaled a peak from his postseason career.
"THAT IS RIDICULOUS!"
DEVIN BOOKER IS IN #PLAYOFFMODE
39 POINTS IN GAME 3 🔥
GET TO ESPN FOR Q4! pic.twitter.com/moP12bYQg4
— NBA (@NBA) May 6, 2023
In front of a boisterous Phoenix crowd and playing more quicker than normal, the Phoenix opened a 15-point lead at the half. The Nuggets reacted by dominating the third quarter, reducing the deficit to just two points at the end of the period.
In the fourth, the Phoenix recovered, going on a 9-0 run in the first three minutes and never looking back.
Despite Nikola Joki’s triple-double of 28 points, 17 rebounds, and 17 assists, which was a triple-double, the Phoenix managed to win. It was the first triple-double with at least 25 points, 15 rebounds, and 15 assists in an NBA playoff game.
One of the assists was just absurd:
This no-look from Joker 😳 pic.twitter.com/X0LBVndN8I
— ESPN (@espn) May 6, 2023
Jamal Murray scored 32 points as well, but only on 13 of 29 attempts.