Game ID: 22400749
Denver Nuggets @ Phoenix Suns
Saturday, February 8, 2025 at 9:00 PM ET
Footprint Center, Phoenix, AZ
Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Final
PHX 32 23 26 24 105DEN 37 26 35 24 122
DEN @ PHX ScoutingDEN @ PHX Scouting
Welcome to the scouting desk. The coffee is cold, the film is play-by-play, and somebody has to explain what happened.
Every game has a hinge — a stretch where it was decided, usually while everyone was watching something else. Start where the evidence lives: the Lineups' face-offs say which five actually won their minutes; the Possessions ledger says who ran ahead of the night's own pace; the Shot Chart says where the points really came from, which is rarely where the highlights were. When all three agree, that is the story. When they don't — that is why this desk has a chair.
PHX availability going into 2/01 · back-to-backOUT Nurkić missed 12 since 1/09, out tonight
BACK Ighodaro back 1/29 after 2, 3 min since (15% of 17)
BACK Gillespie back 1/22 after 39, 2 min since (18% of 14)
BACK Morris back 1/31 after 3, 5 min since (38% of 13)
BACK Bol back 1/31 after 3, 5 min since (38% of 12)
PHX availability going into 2/03 · 1 day's restOUT Nurkić missed 13 since 1/09, out tonight
BACK Ighodaro back 1/29 after 2, 3 min since (19% of 17)
BACK Gillespie back 1/29 after 2, 3 min since (22% of 14)
BACK Morris back 1/31 after 3, 5 min since (38% of 13)
BACK Bol back 1/31 after 3, 5 min since (38% of 12)
PHX availability going into 2/05 · 1 day's restOUT Nurkić missed 14 since 1/09, out tonight
BACK Ighodaro back 1/29 after 2, 3 min since (19% of 17)
BACK Gillespie back 1/29 after 2, 3 min since (22% of 14)
BACK Morris back 1/31 after 3, 5 min since (38% of 13)
BACK Bol back 1/31 after 3, 5 min since (38% of 12)
PHX availability going into 2/07 · 1 day's restOUT Nurkić missed 15 since 1/09, not on tonight's roster
OUT Morris missed 2 since 2/03, returns tonight: 15 min (116% of 13)
BACK Ighodaro back 1/29 after 2, 5 min since (27% of 17)
BACK Gillespie back 1/29 after 2, 4 min since (31% of 14)
BACK Bol back 1/31 after 3, 6 min since (48% of 12)
PHX availability going into 2/08 · back-to-backOUT Durant missed 2 since 2/05, out tonight
BACK Morris back 1/31 after 3, 8 min since (64% of 13)
BACK Bol back 1/31 after 3, 11 min since (84% of 12)
NEW Allen 24 to 29 min over the last 5
PHX availability going into 2/11 · 2 days' restOUT Durant missed 3 since 2/05, returns tonight: 43 min (117% of 36)
OUT Beal missed 2 since 2/07, out tonight
BACK Morris back 2/07 after 2, 14 min since (113% of 13)
NEW Allen 24 to 31 min over the last 4
NEW Bol 12 to 18 min over the last 4
PHX availability going into 2/12 · back-to-backOUT Beal missed 3 since 2/07, out tonight
BACK Durant back 2/11 after 3, 43 min since (117% of 36)
BACK Morris back 2/07 after 2, 14 min since (113% of 13)
NEW O'Neale 24 to 31 min over the last 5
NEW Allen 24 to 30 min over the last 4
NEW Bol 12 to 24 min over the last 4
PHX availability going into 2/20 · 7 days' restOUT Beal missed 4 since 2/07, returns tonight: 33 min (102% of 32)
OUT Ighodaro missed 2 since 2/11, out tonight
OUT Morris missed 2 since 2/11, out tonight
BACK Durant back 2/11 after 3, 42 min since (116% of 36)
NEW Jones 27 to 32 min over the last 5
NEW O'Neale 24 to 32 min over the last 5
NEW Bol 12 to 26 min over the last 5
PHX availability going into 2/22 · 1 day's restOUT Ighodaro missed 3 since 2/11, out tonight
OUT Morris missed 3 since 2/11, out tonight
BACK Durant back 2/11 after 3, 41 min since (113% of 36)
BACK Beal back 2/20 after 4, 33 min since (102% of 32)
NEW O'Neale 24 to 33 min over the last 5
NEW Allen 24 to 29 min over the last 3
NEW Bol 12 to 26 min over the last 5
DEN availability going into 2/01 · back-to-backOUT Šarić missed 8 since 1/17, out tonight
OUT Pickett missed 3 since 1/27, returns tonight: 15 min (117% of 13)
OUT Nnaji missed 3 since 1/27, returns tonight: 22 min (218% of 10)
DEN availability going into 2/03 · 1 day's restOUT Šarić missed 9 since 1/17, out tonight
OUT Jordan missed 2 since 1/31, returns tonight: 12 min (103% of 12)
BACK Pickett back 2/01 after 3, 15 min since (117% of 13)
BACK Nnaji back 2/01 after 3, 22 min since (218% of 10)
DEN availability going into 2/05 · 1 day's restOUT Westbrook missed 2 since 2/01, out tonight
OUT Watson missed 2 since 2/01, out tonight
OUT Šarić missed 10 since 1/17, out tonight
BACK Pickett back 2/01 after 3, 14 min since (108% of 13)
BACK Jordan back 2/03 after 2, 12 min since (103% of 12)
BACK Nnaji back 2/01 after 3, 27 min since (262% of 10)
DEN availability going into 2/06 · back-to-backOUT Westbrook missed 3 since 2/01, out tonight
OUT Watson missed 3 since 2/01, out tonight
OUT Šarić missed 11 since 1/17, out tonight
BACK Pickett back 2/01 after 3, 13 min since (104% of 13)
BACK Jordan back 2/03 after 2, 11 min since (96% of 12)
BACK Nnaji back 2/01 after 3, 21 min since (205% of 10)
DEN availability going into 2/08 · 1 day's restOUT Westbrook missed 4 since 2/01, out tonight
OUT Watson missed 4 since 2/01, out tonight
OUT Šarić missed 12 since 1/17, out tonight
BACK Pickett back 2/01 after 3, 18 min since (139% of 13)
BACK Jordan back 2/03 after 2, 11 min since (99% of 12)
BACK Nnaji back 2/01 after 3, 21 min since (204% of 10)
DEN availability going into 2/10 · 1 day's restOUT Westbrook missed 5 since 2/01, out tonight
OUT Watson missed 5 since 2/01, out tonight
OUT Šarić missed 13 since 1/17, out tonight
BACK Pickett back 2/01 after 3, 18 min since (139% of 13)
BACK Jordan back 2/03 after 2, 13 min since (110% of 12)
BACK Nnaji back 2/01 after 3, 21 min since (204% of 10)
NEW Strawther 20 to 28 min over the last 5
DEN availability going into 2/12 · 1 day's restOUT Porter Jr. missed 2 since 2/08, out tonight
OUT Westbrook missed 6 since 2/01, out tonight
OUT Watson missed 6 since 2/01, out tonight
OUT Šarić missed 14 since 1/17, returns tonight: 8 min (58% of 13)
BACK Jordan back 2/03 after 2, 13 min since (111% of 12)
NEW Strawther 20 to 30 min over the last 5
NEW Pickett 13 to 20 min over the last 5
NEW Nnaji 10 to 20 min over the last 5
DEN availability going into 2/20 · 7 days' restOUT Porter Jr. missed 3 since 2/08, returns tonight: 29 min (87% of 33)
OUT Westbrook missed 7 since 2/01, returns tonight: 26 min (94% of 27)
OUT Watson missed 7 since 2/01, out tonight
BACK Šarić back 2/12 after 14, 8 min since (58% of 13)
NEW Strawther 20 to 31 min over the last 5
NEW Pickett 13 to 24 min over the last 5
NEW Nnaji 10 to 21 min over the last 5
DEN availability going into 2/22 · 1 day's restOUT Watson missed 8 since 2/01, out tonight
BACK Porter Jr. back 2/20 after 3, 29 min since (87% of 33)
BACK Westbrook back 2/20 after 7, 26 min since (94% of 27)
BACK Šarić back 2/12 after 14, 8 min since (58% of 13)
NEW Strawther 20 to 30 min over the last 5
NEW Pickett 13 to 27 min over the last 4
NEW Nnaji 10 to 23 min over the last 5
I Know — the desk, before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Phoenix comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 120 a night and allowing 124, shooting 48 percent and 39 from three, 25 free throws a game; Booker at 34 and Durant at 23 a game. It has lost the glass by 7 a night. Without Durant (2 straight). Second night of a back-to-back. Denver comes in 5-0 over its last five, scoring 125 a night and allowing 112, shooting 54 percent and 36 from three, 20 free throws a game; Jokić at 30 and Porter Jr. at 29 a game. That is 5 straight wins. It has won the glass by 6 a night. Without Westbrook (4 straight), Watson (4 straight). One day's rest.
So: Denver wins, on the road, and the game turns on the glass, where Denver has been plus-6 a night and Phoenix minus-7 and the defense, Denver allowing 112 a night to Phoenix's 124. Call it Denver 121, Phoenix 116.
2/01 @ POR 108-127 — PHX notes
PHX lost 108-127. PHX shot 45% (38 of 84) to POR's 52%, 10 of 33 from three. PHX turned it over 18 times to POR's 9, and POR turned those into 11 steals. Booker led with 37 (11 of 18, 2 of 6 from three, 13 of 14 at the line); Durant added 22, Beal 13. Q4 was theirs, 29-29, but the other 3 periods went 98-79 against them. Durant's -22 in 33 minutes was the worst on the floor.
2/03 @ POR 119-121 — PHX notes
PHX lost 119-121 in 1 overtime. PHX shot 47% (40 of 85) to POR's 45%, 15 of 42 from three. Booker led with 34 (9 of 18, 3 of 8 from three, 13 of 14 at the line); Durant added 27, Beal 25. Q2 was theirs, 24-18, but the other 4 periods went 103-95 against them. Richards's -16 in 18 minutes was the worst on the floor.
2/05 @ OKC 109-140 — PHX notes
PHX lost 109-140. PHX shot 47% (33 of 70) to OKC's 51%, 14 of 36 from three, and went to the line 33 times to OKC's 27 — 29 points from the stripe to their 24. PHX turned it over 18 times to OKC's 5, and OKC turned those into 15 steals. The glass went 35-46 against them. Beal led with 25 (7 of 11, 10 of 10 at the line); Booker added 19, O'Neale 18. Q2 was theirs, 30-24, turning a 4-point deficit into a 2-point lead, but the other 3 periods went 116-79 against them. They led by as many as 12. Booker's -38 in 31 minutes was the worst on the floor.
2/07 vs UTA 135-127 — PHX notes
PHX won 135-127 in 1 overtime. PHX shot 45% (47 of 104) to UTA's 41%, 22 of 56 from three. The glass went 49-63 against them. Booker led with 47 (18 of 33, 3 of 10 from three, 8 of 9 at the line); Allen added 21, Jones 16. The hinge was Q2, 35-25: PHX came in trailing by 10 and left it level. Plumlee was the night's best plus/minus at +17.
2/08 vs DEN 105-122 — PHX notes
PHX lost 105-122. PHX shot 39% (38 of 98) to DEN's 49%, 17 of 50 from three. The glass went 43-56 against them. Booker led with 24 (8 of 19, 3 of 8 from three); Bol added 19, Jones 15. Q4 was theirs, 24-24, but the other 3 periods went 98-81 against them. O'Neale's -20 in 30 minutes was the worst on the floor.
2/11 vs MEM — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Phoenix comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 115 a night and allowing 127, shooting 44 percent and 36 from three, 25 free throws a game; Booker at 32 and Beal at 21 a game. It has lost the glass by 10 a night. Without Durant (3 straight), Beal (2 straight). 2 days' rest. Memphis comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 126 a night and allowing 116, shooting 49 percent and 38 from three, 28 free throws a game; Jackson Jr. at 28 and Morant at 22 a game. It has won the glass by 6 a night. 2 days' rest.
So: Memphis wins, on the road, and the game turns on the glass, where Memphis has been plus-6 a night and Phoenix minus-10 and the defense, Memphis allowing 116 a night to Phoenix's 127. Call it Memphis 122, Phoenix 116.
2/12 @ HOU — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Houston comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 106 a night and allowing 111, shooting 42 percent and 31 from three, 24 free throws a game; Green at 21 and Sengun at 18 a game. It has won the glass by 5 a night. Without VanVleet (5 straight), Smith Jr. (20 straight). 2 days' rest. Phoenix comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 116 a night and allowing 126, shooting 44 percent and 35 from three, 24 free throws a game; Booker at 28 and Bol at 13 a game. It has lost the glass by 12 a night. Without Beal (3 straight). Second night of a back-to-back.
So: Houston wins, and the game turns on the glass, where Houston has been plus-5 a night and Phoenix minus-12 and the defense, Houston allowing 111 a night to Phoenix's 126. Call it Houston 117, Phoenix 110.
2/20 @ SAS — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
San Antonio comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 117 a night and allowing 118, shooting 49 percent and 34 from three, 20 free throws a game; Fox at 22 and Wembanyama at 21 a game. It has lost the glass by 9 a night. 7 days' rest. Phoenix comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 114 a night and allowing 125, shooting 45 percent and 35 from three, 20 free throws a game; Booker at 27 and Bol at 13 a game. That is 3 straight losses. It has lost the glass by 12 a night. Without Beal (4 straight), Ighodaro (2 straight). 7 days' rest.
So: San Antonio wins, and the game turns on the defense, San Antonio allowing 118 a night to Phoenix's 125. Call it San Antonio 119, Phoenix 114.
2/22 @ CHI — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Chicago comes in 0-5 over its last five, scoring 106 a night and allowing 126, shooting 42 percent and 32 from three, 23 free throws a game; Giddey at 17 and Vučević at 14 a game. That is 5 straight losses. It has lost the glass by 12 a night. One day's rest. Phoenix comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 114 a night and allowing 121, shooting 45 percent and 35 from three, 18 free throws a game; Durant at 31 and Booker at 26 a game. That is 4 straight losses. It has lost the glass by 11 a night. Without Ighodaro (3 straight). One day's rest.
So: Phoenix wins, on the road, and the game turns on the line, where Chicago takes 23 free throws a game to Phoenix's 18. Call it Phoenix 117, Chicago 116, Chicago keeping it close.
2/01 @ CHA 107-104 — DEN notes
DEN won 107-104. DEN shot 47% (41 of 88) to CHA's 43%, 7 of 37 from three. Jokić led with 28 (9 of 17, 2 of 7 from three, 8 of 9 at the line); Braun added 24, Murray 20. The hinge was Q1, 27-20: from level to 7 ahead, and the lead reached 17. Gordon was the night's best plus/minus at +21.
2/03 vs NOP 125-113 — DEN notes
DEN won 125-113. DEN shot 50% (46 of 92) to NOP's 43%, 12 of 33 from three. DEN turned it over 5 times to NOP's 10. Porter Jr. led with 36 (12 of 22, 7 of 12 from three); Jokić added 27, Murray 20. The hinge was Q1, 33-23: from level to 10 ahead, and the lead reached 20. Porter Jr. was the night's best plus/minus at +20.
2/05 vs NOP 144-119 — DEN notes
DEN won 144-119. DEN shot 57% (57 of 100) to NOP's 46%, 16 of 43 from three, and got to the line 15 times to NOP's 26. The glass went 51-38 for them. Porter Jr. led with 39 (16 of 23, 5 of 9 from three); Jokić added 38, Braun 23. The hinge was Q3, 45-27: from level to 18 ahead, and the lead reached 27. Jokić was the night's best plus/minus at +24.
2/06 vs ORL 112-90 — DEN notes
DEN won 112-90. DEN shot 53% (44 of 83) to ORL's 37%, 12 of 30 from three, and got to the line 21 times to ORL's 30. DEN turned it over 18 times to ORL's 13, and ORL turned those into 10 steals. The glass went 52-40 for them. Porter Jr. led with 30 (11 of 16, 5 of 8 from three); Jokić added 28, Braun 16. The hinge was Q3, 33-17: a lead of 9 became 25, and the lead reached 33. Braun was the night's best plus/minus at +30.
2/08 @ PHX 122-105 — DEN notes
DEN won 122-105. DEN shot 49% (45 of 92) to PHX's 39%, 16 of 35 from three. The glass went 56-43 for them. Murray led with 30 (12 of 23, 6 of 9 from three); Jokić added 26, Strawther 18. The hinge was Q3, 35-26: a lead of 8 became 17, and the lead reached 23. Braun was the night's best plus/minus at +19.
2/10 vs POR — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Denver comes in 5-0 over its last five, scoring 122 a night and allowing 106, shooting 51 percent and 35 from three, 20 free throws a game; Porter Jr. at 30 and Jokić at 29 a game. That is 5 straight wins. It has won the glass by 7 a night. Without Westbrook (5 straight), Watson (5 straight). One day's rest. Portland comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 113 a night and allowing 106, shooting 45 percent and 34 from three, 24 free throws a game; Simons at 20 and Ayton at 16 a game. It has won the glass by 5 a night. Without Thybulle (53 straight). One day's rest.
So: Denver wins, and the game turns on the turnovers, Portland giving it away 14 times a game to Denver's 10. Call it Denver 117, Portland 110.
2/12 vs POR — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Denver comes in 5-0 over its last five, scoring 130 a night and allowing 109, shooting 55 percent and 39 from three, 20 free throws a game; Porter Jr. at 35 and Jokić at 32 a game. That is 5 straight wins. It has won the glass by 10 a night. Without Porter Jr. (2 straight), Westbrook (6 straight), Watson (6 straight). One day's rest. Portland comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 111 a night and allowing 114, shooting 44 percent and 36 from three, 23 free throws a game; Simons at 21 and Grant at 15 a game. Without Thybulle (54 straight). One day's rest.
So: Denver wins, and the game turns on the turnovers, Portland giving it away 15 times a game to Denver's 9 and the glass, where Denver has been plus-10 a night and Portland plus-3. Call it Denver 121, Portland 110, Denver by 11.
2/20 vs CHA — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Denver comes in 5-0 over its last five, scoring 131 a night and allowing 110, shooting 55 percent and 39 from three, 19 free throws a game; Jokić at 32 and Murray at 28 a game. That is 5 straight wins. It has won the glass by 9 a night. Without Porter Jr. (3 straight), Westbrook (7 straight), Watson (7 straight). 7 days' rest. Charlotte comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 99 a night and allowing 105, shooting 41 percent and 36 from three, 18 free throws a game; Bridges at 22 and Ball at 19 a game. Without Gra. Williams (37 straight), Simpson (2 straight), Okogie (8 straight). Second night of a back-to-back.
So: Denver wins, and the game turns on the glass, where Denver has been plus-9 a night and Charlotte minus-3 and the turnovers, Charlotte giving it away 14 times a game to Denver's 11. Call it Denver 119, Charlotte 106, Denver by 13.
2/22 vs LAL — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Denver comes in 5-0 over its last five, scoring 128 a night and allowing 110, shooting 54 percent and 41 from three, 20 free throws a game; Murray at 34 and Jokić at 30 a game. That is 5 straight wins. It has won the glass by 9 a night. Without Watson (8 straight). One day's rest. The Lakers come in 3-2 over their last five, scoring 116 a night and allowing 113, shooting 48 percent and 34 from three, 22 free throws a game; James at 27 and Reaves at 24 a game. They have won the glass by 6 a night. Without Reddish (9 straight), Morris (2 straight). One day's rest.
So: Denver wins, and the game turns on the arc, Denver at 41 percent from three to the Lakers' 34 and the turnovers, the Lakers giving it away 16 times a game to Denver's 12. Call it Denver 120, the Lakers 112.
Who is who
the initials in the Players column
DENAG A. Gordon
CB C. Braun
DJ D. Jordan
HT H. Tyson
JM J. Murray
JP J. Pickett
JS J. Strawther
JO Jokic
NJ N. Jokić
PH P. Hall
SJ S. Jones
TA T. Alexander
ZN Z. Nnaji
PHXBB B. Bol
CG C. Gillespie
DB D. Booker
DL D. Lee
MM M. Morris
MP M. Plumlee
NR N. Richards
OI O. Ighodaro
RD R. Dunn
RO R. O'Neale
TJ T. Jones
TW T. Washington Jr.
DEN/PHX the team itself, not a player
-- the feed named nobody
What
What happened
the codes in the Events column
M2 / M3 made 2 / made 3
X2 / X3 missed 2 / missed 3
FT / X1 free throw made / missed
AST assist
OR / DR offensive / defensive rebound
STL steal
BLK block
TO turnover
FL foul
OF offensive foul — ends the possession
VIOL violation
JUMP jump ball
TM timeout
IR instant replay
HE heave at the buzzer, filed to the team
END the clock ran out, ball in hand
Where
Where a shot came from
the middle field of M3.LW.25
RM at the rim inside 4 ft
RC right corner
RW right wing
SO straight on
LW left wing
LC left corner
M3.LW.25 made 3, left wing, 25 ft
X2.RM.01 missed 2, at the rim, 1 ft
When
When it happened
the Offset column
one number per event, in the Events order:
whole seconds from the start of the
possession to that event
Events FL X3.RC.23 OR M2.RM.01
Offset 0 18 22 24
the foul opens the possession at 0s;
the putback ends it at 24s, which is
the possession's own Dur
Jokic falls assist short of triple-double in his 3 quarters in Nuggets' 122-105 victory over Suns
PHOENIX -- — Nikola Jokic had 28 points, 11 rebounds and nine assists to just miss a triple-double before sitting out the fourth quarter and the Denver Nuggets won their season-best sixth straight game, beating the Phoenix Suns 122-105 on Saturday night.
Jokic made 11 of 13 shots in 28 minutes. Jamal Murray had 30 points for the Nuggets, who played without starters Russell Westbrook and Michael Porter Jr ., both sidelined with left hamstring injuries.
Devin Booker scored 24 points to lead Phoenix, who didn’t have injured starters Kevin Durant (sprained left ankle) or Bradley Beal (injured left big toe) for the second night in a row. Also out was Grayson Allen , who sat with an injured left knee. He made two 3-pointers in the final 4 seconds Friday night to force overtime in an eventual victory over Utah.
Bol Bol had a season-high 19 points, and Tyus Jones added 15 points and 10 assists for the Suns. They have lost four of five.
Takeaways Nuggets: Guard Julian Strawther helped pick up for Westbrook’s absence, finishing with 18 points and six assists in 39 minutes. Christian Braun also had 18 points.
Suns: Fan favorite Bol, playing 33 minutes in the absence of three missing regulars, had two offensive-rebound baskets in the first quarter, then completed a behind-the-back pass to Damion Lee for a 3-pointer that brought the sellout crowd to its feet.
Key moment Murray made 3-pointers on his first three shots, guiding the Nuggets to a 10-2 lead. The Suns led briefly in the first quarter but that was it. Denver led by 23.
Key stat Booker, one night after playing 49 of a possible 53 minutes, played 34 minutes and finished 8 of 19 from the field.
Up next Nuggets host Portland on Monday night, and the Suns host Memphis on Tuesday night.