Shorthanded Suns Scorched in Loss to Nuggets
The Phoenix Suns fell to the Denver Nuggets in 126-97 fashion on Wednesday.
Playing on the second night of a back-to-back, the Suns simply didn't have enough firepower to keep pace with Denver through the course of the game after upsetting the Golden State Warriors the previous night.
Phoenix still were down to just nine available players after Devin Booker, Chris Paul, Cam Johnson, Cam Payne, Deandre Ayton and Landry Shamet were out of action due to injury.
After seeing a handful of role players step up in major fashion vs. Golden State, every Suns starter finished with a +/- of -20 or worse on Wednesday. No Phoenix player scored more than 16 points.
The Suns were outmatched in each quarter, as the Nuggets pieced together point totals of 34, 36 and 30 in the first three periods of play.
Saben Lee - who just today was signed to a 10-day contract - took advantage of his opportunities with Phoenix, notching eight points, three rebounds and four assists.
The Nuggets sat starters for most of fourth quarter, though Jamal Murray did leave with a sprained ankle in the opening moments of the fourth before quickly being pulled. He finished with 16 points and 6 assists.
Denver was propelled by back-to-back MVP Nikola Jokic, who finished one assist shy of a triple-double with a 21-18-9 stat line in three quarters.
Denver led by as much as 31 in a victory where they shot an impressive 56.5% from the field.
The Suns now hope to rebound in a Friday night showdown with the Minnesota Timberwolves.
