Game ID: 22501050
Denver Nuggets @ Phoenix Suns
Tuesday, March 24, 2026 at 11:00 PM ET
Mortgage Matchup Center, Phoenix, AZ
Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Final
PHX 35 22 38 28 123DEN 28 39 30 28 125
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 3/17 · back-to-backOUT Brooks missed 11 since 2/22, out tonight
OUT Williams missed 7 since 3/05, out tonight
OUT Dunn missed 2 since 3/13, returns tonight: 17 min (90% of 19)
OUT Bouyea missed 2 since 3/13, returns tonight: 1 min (8% of 13)
OUT Huntley missed 7 since 3/05, out tonight
BACK Goodwin back 3/10 after 7, 18 min since (82% of 22)
NEW Green 27 to 33 min over the last 5
NEW Fleming 12 to 20 min over the last 5
NEW Highsmith 11 to 18 min over the last 4
PHX availability going into 3/19 · 1 day's restOUT Brooks missed 12 since 2/22, out tonight
OUT Williams missed 8 since 3/05, out tonight
OUT Huntley missed 8 since 3/05, out tonight
BACK Goodwin back 3/10 after 7, 19 min since (87% of 22)
BACK Dunn back 3/17 after 2, 17 min since (90% of 19)
BACK Bouyea back 3/12 after 5, 3 min since (20% of 13)
NEW Green 27 to 32 min over the last 5
NEW Fleming 12 to 19 min over the last 5
PHX availability going into 3/21 · 1 day's restOUT Brooks missed 13 since 2/22, out tonight
OUT Allen missed 2 since 3/17, out tonight
OUT Williams missed 9 since 3/05, out tonight
OUT Huntley missed 9 since 3/05, out tonight
BACK Dunn back 3/17 after 2, 18 min since (97% of 19)
BACK Bouyea back 3/12 after 5, 5 min since (37% of 13)
NEW Green 27 to 33 min over the last 5
NEW Ighodaro 22 to 30 min over the last 5
NEW Fleming 12 to 19 min over the last 5
PHX availability going into 3/22 · back-to-backOUT Brooks missed 14 since 2/22, out tonight
OUT Allen missed 3 since 3/17, out tonight
OUT O'Neale missed 2 since 3/19, out tonight
OUT Williams missed 10 since 3/05, out tonight
OUT Highsmith missed 2 since 3/19, out tonight
OUT Huntley missed 10 since 3/05, returns tonight: 5 min (47% of 10)
BACK Dunn back 3/17 after 2, 20 min since (106% of 19)
BACK Bouyea back 3/17 after 2, 6 min since (49% of 13)
NEW Green 27 to 33 min over the last 5
NEW Ighodaro 22 to 31 min over the last 5
NEW Fleming 12 to 18 min over the last 5
PHX availability going into 3/24 · 1 day's restOUT Brooks missed 15 since 2/22, out tonight
OUT Allen missed 4 since 3/17, returns tonight: 23 min (82% of 28)
OUT O'Neale missed 3 since 3/19, returns tonight: 28 min (100% of 28)
OUT Williams missed 11 since 3/05, out tonight
OUT Coffey missed 2 since 3/21, out tonight
OUT Highsmith missed 3 since 3/19, out tonight
BACK Dunn back 3/17 after 2, 22 min since (116% of 19)
BACK Bouyea back 3/17 after 2, 10 min since (73% of 13)
BACK Huntley back 3/22 after 10, 5 min since (47% of 10)
NEW Ighodaro 22 to 32 min over the last 5
NEW Fleming 12 to 20 min over the last 5
PHX availability going into 3/28 · 3 days' restOUT Brooks missed 16 since 2/22, out tonight
OUT Williams missed 12 since 3/05, out tonight
OUT Coffey missed 3 since 3/21, out tonight
OUT Highsmith missed 4 since 3/19, out tonight
BACK Allen back 3/24 after 4, 23 min since (82% of 28)
BACK O'Neale back 3/24 after 3, 28 min since (100% of 28)
BACK Dunn back 3/17 after 2, 22 min since (116% of 19)
BACK Bouyea back 3/17 after 2, 8 min since (64% of 13)
BACK Huntley back 3/22 after 10, 5 min since (47% of 10)
NEW Ighodaro 22 to 32 min over the last 5
NEW Goodwin 22 to 27 min over the last 5
NEW Fleming 12 to 21 min over the last 5
PHX availability going into 3/30 · 1 day's restOUT Brooks missed 17 since 2/22, out tonight
OUT Williams missed 13 since 3/05, out tonight
OUT Coffey missed 4 since 3/21, out tonight
OUT Highsmith missed 5 since 3/19, out tonight
OUT Huntley missed 2 since 3/24, returns tonight: 2 min (22% of 10)
BACK Allen back 3/24 after 4, 22 min since (77% of 28)
BACK O'Neale back 3/24 after 3, 25 min since (89% of 28)
NEW Ighodaro 22 to 31 min over the last 5
NEW Goodwin 22 to 27 min over the last 5
NEW Fleming 12 to 22 min over the last 5
PHX availability going into 3/31 · back-to-backOUT Brooks missed 18 since 2/22, returns tonight: 22 min (71% of 31)
OUT Williams missed 14 since 3/05, out tonight
OUT Coffey missed 5 since 3/21, out tonight
OUT Highsmith missed 6 since 3/19, out tonight
BACK Allen back 3/24 after 4, 22 min since (77% of 28)
BACK O'Neale back 3/24 after 3, 25 min since (88% of 28)
BACK Huntley back 3/22 after 10, 3 min since (34% of 10)
NEW Ighodaro 22 to 31 min over the last 5
NEW Fleming 12 to 23 min over the last 5
PHX availability going into 4/02 · 1 day's restOUT Williams missed 15 since 3/05, returns tonight: 20 min (85% of 24)
OUT Coffey missed 6 since 3/21, out tonight
OUT Highsmith missed 7 since 3/19, out tonight
BACK Brooks back 3/31 after 18, 22 min since (71% of 31)
BACK Allen back 3/24 after 4, 25 min since (89% of 28)
BACK O'Neale back 3/24 after 3, 26 min since (93% of 28)
BACK Huntley back 3/22 after 10, 3 min since (34% of 10)
NEW Ighodaro 22 to 29 min over the last 5
NEW Fleming 12 to 22 min over the last 5
DEN availability going into 3/17 · 2 days' restOUT Watson missed 16 since 2/07, out tonight
OUT Pickett missed 2 since 3/12, returns tonight: 7 min (46% of 16)
OUT Roddy missed 2 since 3/12, out tonight
OUT Nnaji missed 2 since 3/12, returns tonight: 9 min (76% of 12)
BACK Johnson back 3/06 after 2, 29 min since (93% of 31)
BACK Gordon back 3/06 after 17, 27 min since (95% of 28)
BACK Jones back 3/06 after 3, 20 min since (91% of 22)
DEN availability going into 3/18 · back-to-backOUT Watson missed 17 since 2/07, out tonight
OUT Roddy missed 3 since 3/12, out tonight
BACK Pickett back 3/17 after 2, 7 min since (46% of 16)
BACK Nnaji back 3/17 after 2, 9 min since (76% of 12)
DEN availability going into 3/20 · 1 day's restOUT Watson missed 18 since 2/07, out tonight
OUT Roddy missed 4 since 3/12, out tonight
BACK Pickett back 3/17 after 2, 7 min since (46% of 16)
BACK Nnaji back 3/17 after 2, 9 min since (76% of 12)
DEN availability going into 3/22 · 1 day's restOUT Watson missed 19 since 2/07, returns tonight: 20 min (67% of 30)
OUT Pickett missed 2 since 3/18, returns tonight: 2 min (12% of 16)
OUT Roddy missed 5 since 3/12, out tonight
OUT Nnaji missed 2 since 3/18, returns tonight: 2 min (16% of 12)
DEN availability going into 3/24 · 1 day's restOUT Roddy missed 6 since 3/12, out tonight
OUT Valančiūnas missed 2 since 3/20, out tonight
BACK Watson back 3/22 after 19, 20 min since (67% of 30)
BACK Pickett back 3/17 after 2, 5 min since (29% of 16)
BACK Nnaji back 3/17 after 2, 6 min since (46% of 12)
DEN availability going into 3/25 · back-to-backOUT Roddy missed 7 since 3/12, out tonight
OUT Valančiūnas missed 3 since 3/20, out tonight
BACK Watson back 3/22 after 19, 20 min since (67% of 30)
BACK Pickett back 3/17 after 2, 5 min since (29% of 16)
BACK Nnaji back 3/17 after 2, 6 min since (46% of 12)
DEN availability going into 3/27 · 1 day's restOUT Pickett missed 2 since 3/24, out tonight
OUT Roddy missed 8 since 3/12, out tonight
OUT Valančiūnas missed 4 since 3/20, out tonight
OUT Nnaji missed 2 since 3/24, out tonight
BACK Watson back 3/22 after 19, 22 min since (73% of 30)
DEN availability going into 3/29 · 1 day's restOUT Pickett missed 3 since 3/24, returns tonight: 2 min (12% of 16)
OUT Roddy missed 9 since 3/12, out tonight
OUT Valančiūnas missed 5 since 3/20, returns tonight: 5 min (39% of 13)
OUT Nnaji missed 3 since 3/24, returns tonight: 8 min (66% of 12)
BACK Watson back 3/22 after 19, 21 min since (72% of 30)
DEN availability going into 4/01 · 2 days' restOUT Roddy missed 10 since 3/12, returns tonight: 2 min (11% of 15)
BACK Watson back 3/22 after 19, 22 min since (73% of 30)
BACK Pickett back 3/22 after 2, 2 min since (12% of 16)
BACK Valančiūnas back 3/29 after 5, 5 min since (39% of 13)
BACK Nnaji back 3/22 after 2, 5 min since (41% of 12)
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 108 a night and allowing 109, shooting 44 percent and 36 from three, 19 free throws a game; Booker at 27 and Green at 18 a game. Without Brooks (15 straight), Allen (4 straight), O'Neale (3 straight). One day's rest. Denver comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 123 a night and allowing 115, shooting 51 percent and 41 from three, 23 free throws a game; Jokić at 21 and Murray at 18 a game. One day's rest.
So: Phoenix wins, and the game turns on the arc, Denver at 41 percent from three to Phoenix's 36 and the defense, Phoenix allowing 109 a night to Denver's 115. Call it Phoenix 115, Denver 114, Denver keeping it close.
3/17 @ MIN 104-116 — PHX notes
PHX lost 104-116. PHX took 13 more shots (97 to 84), fed by 17 offensive rebounds, but shot 38% to MIN's 51%, 13 of 37 from three, and got to the line 23 times to MIN's 29. PHX turned it over 11 times to MIN's 16. Booker led with 34 (11 of 27, 1 of 7 from three, 11 of 14 at the line); Ighodaro added 16, Gillespie 12. Q1 was theirs, 39-36, but the other 3 periods went 80-65 against them. They led by as many as 11. Goodwin's -11 in 24 minutes was the worst on the floor.
3/19 @ SAS 100-101 — PHX notes
PHX lost 100-101. PHX took 8 more shots (91 to 83), fed by 10 offensive rebounds, but shot 42% to SAS's 42%, 11 of 36 from three, and got to the line 17 times to SAS's 23. Gillespie led with 24 (7 of 13, 6 of 11 from three); Booker added 22, Green 17. Q2 was theirs, 33-28, but the other 3 periods went 73-67 against them. They led by as many as 11.
3/21 vs MIL 105-108 — PHX notes
PHX lost 105-108. PHX took 11 more shots (89 to 78), fed by 12 offensive rebounds, but shot 45% to MIL's 50%, 15 of 39 from three. PHX turned it over 10 times to MIL's 15. Green led with 24 (9 of 17, 3 of 6 from three, 3 of 7 at the line); Gillespie added 18, Booker 14. Q1 was theirs, 26-15, but the other 3 periods went 93-79 against them. They led by as many as 13. Green's -14 in 36 minutes was the worst on the floor.
3/22 vs TOR 120-98 — PHX notes
PHX won 120-98. PHX shot 52% (46 of 89) to TOR's 49%, 18 of 40 from three, and got to the line 10 times to TOR's 22. The glass went 43-30 for them. Booker led with 25 (9 of 15, 3 of 6 from three); Green added 20, Gillespie 16. The hinge was Q1, 34-20: from level to 14 ahead, and the lead reached 31. Booker was the night's best plus/minus at +32.
3/24 vs DEN 123-125 — PHX notes
PHX lost 123-125. PHX shot 44% (39 of 89) to DEN's 51%, 17 of 47 from three, and went to the line 37 times to DEN's 30 — 28 points from the stripe to their 22. PHX turned it over 3 times to DEN's 9. Booker led with 22 (5 of 14, 1 of 4 from three, 11 of 13 at the line); Green added 21, Allen 21. Q3 was theirs, 38-30, the deficit cut from 10 to 2, but the other 3 periods went 95-85 against them. They led by as many as 11. Allen's -16 in 23 minutes was the worst on the floor.
3/28 vs UTA — 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 110 a night and allowing 110, shooting 44 percent and 37 from three, 21 free throws a game; Booker at 23 and Green at 18 a game. Without Brooks (16 straight), Williams (12 straight). 3 days' rest. Utah comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 122 a night and allowing 127, shooting 49 percent and 30 from three, 28 free throws a game; Bailey at 25 and Williams at 22 a game. That is 4 straight losses. It has lost the glass by 5 a night. Without Collier (5 straight), Mykhailiuk (13 straight), Love (5 straight). Second night of a back-to-back.
So: Phoenix wins, and the game turns on the defense, Phoenix allowing 110 a night to Utah's 127 and the arc, Phoenix at 37 percent from three to Utah's 30. Call it Phoenix 121, Utah 113.
3/30 @ MEM — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Memphis comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 108 a night and allowing 127, shooting 43 percent and 33 from three, 20 free throws a game; Jackson at 18 and Prosper at 16 a game. It has lost the glass by 17 a night. Without Wells (3 straight). One day's rest. Phoenix comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 116 a night and allowing 108, shooting 47 percent and 36 from three, 21 free throws a game; Green at 23 and Booker at 22 a game. It has won the glass by 5 a night. Without Brooks (17 straight), Williams (13 straight). One day's rest.
So: Phoenix wins, on the road, and the game turns on the glass, where Phoenix has been plus-5 a night and Memphis minus-17 and the defense, Phoenix allowing 108 a night to Memphis's 127. Call it Phoenix 118, Memphis 112.
3/31 @ ORL — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Orlando comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 114 a night and allowing 125, shooting 47 percent and 34 from three, 27 free throws a game; Banchero at 26 and Bane at 17 a game. Without Fra. Wagner (21 straight), Black (12 straight). One day's rest. Phoenix comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 123 a night and allowing 109, shooting 48 percent and 38 from three, 19 free throws a game; Booker at 25 and Green at 23 a game. It has won the glass by 6 a night. Without Brooks (18 straight), Williams (14 straight). Second night of a back-to-back.
So: Phoenix wins, on the road, and the game turns on the defense, Phoenix allowing 109 a night to Orlando's 125 and the line, where Orlando takes 27 free throws a game to Phoenix's 19. Call it Phoenix 117, Orlando 114, Orlando keeping it close.
4/02 @ CHA — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Charlotte comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 116 a night and allowing 102, shooting 46 percent and 36 from three, 22 free throws a game; Miller at 20 and Ball at 19 a game. It has won the glass by 14 a night. Without Salaün (14 straight). One day's rest. Phoenix comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 124 a night and allowing 110, shooting 47 percent and 36 from three, 22 free throws a game; Booker at 29 and Green at 20 a game. It has won the glass by 6 a night. Without Williams (15 straight). One day's rest.
So: Charlotte wins, and the game turns on the glass, where Charlotte has been plus-14 a night and Phoenix plus-6 and the defense, Charlotte allowing 102 a night to Phoenix's 110. Call it Charlotte 115, Phoenix 111, Phoenix keeping it close.
3/17 vs PHI 124-96 — DEN notes
DEN won 124-96. DEN shot 50% (43 of 86) to PHI's 39%, 16 of 33 from three, and went to the line 31 times to PHI's 15 — 22 points from the stripe to their 13. The glass went 53-42 for them. Braun led with 22 (7 of 9, 2 of 3 from three, 6 of 6 at the line); Johnson added 18, Murray 12. The hinge was Q1, 38-22: from level to 16 ahead, and the lead reached 33. Murray was the night's best plus/minus at +23.
3/18 @ MEM 118-125 — DEN notes
DEN lost 118-125. DEN shot 49% (44 of 90) to MEM's 43%, 13 of 36 from three, and got to the line 22 times to MEM's 32. DEN turned it over 19 times to MEM's 10, and MEM turned those into 12 steals. Jokić led with 29 (11 of 19, 2 of 4 from three, 5 of 8 at the line); Braun added 26, Johnson 20. Q2 was theirs, 30-29, the deficit cut from 1 to 0, but the other 3 periods went 96-88 against them. Jones's -22 in 27 minutes was the worst on the floor.
3/20 vs TOR 121-115 — DEN notes
DEN won 121-115. DEN shot 54% (44 of 81) to TOR's 51%, 14 of 30 from three. Murray led with 31 (10 of 18, 2 of 6 from three, 9 of 10 at the line); Hardaway Jr. added 23, Jokić 22. The hinge was Q4, 36-21: DEN came in trailing by 9 and left it ahead by 6. Brown was the night's best plus/minus at +13.
3/22 vs POR 128-112 — DEN notes
DEN won 128-112. DEN shot 54% (49 of 90) to POR's 43%, 18 of 46 from three. Jokić led with 22 (10 of 18, 2 of 8 from three); Murray added 22, Johnson 19. The hinge was Q3, 32-24: a lead of 6 became 14, and the lead reached 20. Jokić was the night's best plus/minus at +19.
3/24 @ PHX 125-123 — DEN notes
DEN won 125-123. DEN shot 51% (45 of 88) to PHX's 44%, 13 of 32 from three, and got to the line 30 times to PHX's 37. DEN turned it over 9 times to PHX's 3. Jokić led with 23 (9 of 16, 5 of 7 at the line); Murray added 21, Hardaway Jr. 18. The hinge was Q2, 39-22: DEN came in trailing by 7 and left it ahead by 10. Strawther was the night's best plus/minus at +12.
3/25 vs DAL — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Denver comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 123 a night and allowing 114, shooting 52 percent and 42 from three, 24 free throws a game; Murray at 21 and Jokić at 21 a game. That is 3 straight wins. Second night of a back-to-back. Dallas comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 125 a night and allowing 132, shooting 50 percent and 41 from three, 24 free throws a game; Flagg at 23 and Marshall at 21 a game. That is 4 straight losses. Without Williams (3 straight). One day's rest.
So: Denver wins, and the game turns on the defense, Denver allowing 114 a night to Dallas's 132 and the glass, where Denver has been plus-3 a night and Dallas minus-3. Call it Denver 124, Dallas 117.
3/27 vs UTA — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Denver comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 127 a night and allowing 122, shooting 53 percent and 42 from three, 24 free throws a game; Murray at 29 and Jokić at 24 a game. That is 4 straight wins. Without Pickett (2 straight). One day's rest. Utah comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 118 a night and allowing 129, shooting 46 percent and 31 from three, 29 free throws a game; Bailey at 25 and Williams at 17 a game. That is 3 straight losses. Without Collier (4 straight), Mykhailiuk (12 straight), Love (4 straight). One day's rest.
So: Denver wins, and the game turns on the arc, Denver at 42 percent from three to Utah's 31 and the defense, Denver allowing 122 a night to Utah's 129. Call it Denver 127, Utah 117, Denver by 10.
3/29 vs GSW — 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 123, shooting 53 percent and 43 from three, 26 free throws a game; Murray at 32 and Jokić at 25 a game. That is 5 straight wins. Without Pickett (3 straight). One day's rest. Golden State comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 118 a night and allowing 121, shooting 50 percent and 37 from three, 27 free throws a game; Porziņģis at 18 and Santos at 18 a game. That is 3 straight wins. It has won the glass by 7 a night. Without Ste. Curry (24 straight), Moody (2 straight), Horford (8 straight). One day's rest.
So: Denver wins, and the game turns on the turnovers, Golden State giving it away 22 times a game to Denver's 11 and the arc, Denver at 43 percent from three to Golden State's 37. Call it Denver 123, Golden State 117.
4/01 @ UTA — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Utah comes in 0-5 over its last five, scoring 118 a night and allowing 133, shooting 49 percent and 36 from three, 25 free throws a game; Sensabaugh at 20 and Bailey at 20 a game. That is 5 straight losses. It has lost the glass by 9 a night. Without Collier (7 straight), Hinson (3 straight), Love (7 straight). One day's rest. Denver comes in 5-0 over its last five, scoring 129 a night and allowing 118, shooting 52 percent and 43 from three, 23 free throws a game; Murray at 29 and Jokić at 25 a game. That is 5 straight wins. 2 days' rest.
So: Denver wins, on the road, and the game turns on the glass, where Denver has been plus-3 a night and Utah minus-9 and the defense, Denver allowing 118 a night to Utah's 133. Call it Denver 125, Utah 119.
Who is who
the initials in the Players column
PHXCG C. Gillespie
DB D. Booker
GA G. Allen
JG J. Goodwin
JG J. Green
KM K. Maluach
OI O. Ighodaro
RF R. Fleming
RO R. O'Neale
DENAG A. Gordon
BB B. Brown
CB C. Braun
CJ C. Johnson
JM J. Murray
JS J. Strawther
JO Jokic
NJ N. Jokić
SJ S. Jones
TH T. Hardaway Jr.
PHX/DEN 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
Nikola Jokic has 23 points, knocks down late bucket to send Nuggets over Suns 125-123
PHOENIX -- — Nikola Jokic had 23 points, 17 rebounds and tied a season high with 17 assists to lead the Denver Nuggets over the Phoenix Suns 125-123 on Tuesday night.
Jokic made the go-ahead basket, knocking down a 12-foot jumper with 11.5 seconds left. Phoenix's Devin Booker got a good look at a potential winning 3-pointer, but it bounced off the rim.
The Suns trailed 117-109 with 3:19 left, but methodically worked their way back. Booker made a tough jumper in the lane to tie the game at 123 with 30.2 seconds remaining. He had 22 points and eight assists.
Jokic had his NBA-leading 29th triple-double of the season by early in the third quarter. The three-time MVP shot 9 of 16 from the field and delivered several pinpoint passes, including one that went the full length of the court for a layup by Christian Braun .
The Nuggets have fought injuries for most of the season, but are now close to full strength. Jamal Murray had 21 points and Tim Hardaway Jr . added 18 off the bench.
Denver had a 10-point lead at halftime, but Jordan Goodwin and Grayson Allen made back-to-back 3s late in the third to help Phoenix cut the deficit to 97-95 heading into the fourth. Allen and Jalen Green both had 21 points.
The Nuggets have won six of their last eight games and are 1 1/2 games behind the Lakers for the No. 3 spot in the Western Conference playoff race.
The sliding Suns have dropped six of seven and face an uphill battle to avoid the play-in tournament. They're currently the No. 7 team in the West.
Jokic — who picked up an early technical foul after heated comments toward referee Dannica Baroody — had 15 points, 11 rebounds and eight assists before the halftime break.