NBA
Jamal Murray’s 39 Points Lift Nuggets Past Suns 127–120
Murray made seven threes and 12 free throws, adding eight rebounds and five assists as Denver won on the road.
Jamal Murray scored 39 points and Christian Braun added 31 as Denver defeated Phoenix 127–120 Friday, opening NBA Cup group play with a road victory at Mortgage Matchup Center.
Murray finished 10 of 18 from the field and seven of nine from three-point range. He also made 12 of 15 free throws, collected eight rebounds and handed out five assists across 37 minutes. Murray generated 33 points directly from three-pointers and free throws, leaving six from two-point baskets.
Braun matched Murray’s seven threes on nine attempts, giving Denver 14 makes from its starting backcourt. Braun shot 11 of 16 overall and supplied three steals. The pair combined for 70 points and accounted for most of the Nuggets’ long-range scoring.
Denver made 20 three-pointers in 37 attempts, with the final box score listing 54.1% accuracy. That shooting helped the Nuggets overcome an early 37–32 deficit. They scored 39 in the second quarter to lead 71–67 at halftime.
The final game record shows Denver extended that advantage to 103–93 through three quarters. Phoenix opened the fourth with five unanswered points, but Murray answered with a three-pointer that restored an eight-point margin.
Nikola Jokić contributed 18 points and 10 assists, and Aaron Gordon scored 15. All five Denver starters reached double figures, while the Nuggets finished with 30 assists on 42 baskets. Their reserves contributed only 12 points.
Miles Bridges led Phoenix with 24 points and 10 rebounds. Devin Booker scored 20, and Collin Gillespie provided 16 points and 10 assists off the bench. Dillon Brooks had 22 before his third-quarter ejection for a flagrant foul.
Denver improved to 3–2 with consecutive wins following Wednesday’s victory in New Orleans. Murray scored 23 in that game, making five threes; Friday increased those totals to 62 points and 12 three-pointers across the two road wins.
