**ESPN:** [recap](https://www.espn.com/nba/recap/_/gameId/401544337) – [boxscore](https://www.espn.com/nba/boxscore/_/gameId/401544337) – [gamecast](https://www.espn.com/nba/game/_/gameId/401544337) | **NBA.com:** [boxscore](https://www.nba.com/game/0042200224) – [shotchart](https://www.nba.com/game/0042200224/game-charts)
||**Q1**|**Q2**|**Q3**|**Q4**|**Final**||
|:—|:–:|:–:|:–:|:–:|:–:|:–:|
**DEN**|**34**|**27**|**31**|**32**|**124**|[](/DEN)|
**PHX**|**32**|**31**|**35**|**31**|**129**|[](/PHX)|
**Team**|**FG**|**3PT**|**FT**|**OR**|**Reb**|**Ast**|**TO**|**Stl**|**Blk**|**PF**|**Pts**|
|:—|—:|—:|—:|—:|—:|—:|—:|—:|—:|—:|—:|
[](/DEN)**DEN**|**50-89 (56.2)**|**7-22 (31.8)**|**17-23 (73.9)**|**10**|**32**|**28**|**8**|**6**|**2**|**19**|**124**|
[](/PHX)**PHX**|**46-81 (56.8)**|**13-29 (44.8)**|**24-29 (82.8)**|**12**|**37**|**28**|**13**|**6**|**5**|**24**|**129**|
**[](/DEN)DEN**|**Min**|**FG**|**3PT**|**FT**|**OR**|**Reb**|**Ast**|**TO**|**Stl**|**Blk**|**PF**|**Pts**|**+/-**|
|:—|—:|—:|—:|—:|—:|—:|—:|—:|—:|—:|—:|—:|—:|
M. Porter Jr.^^SF|40:49|4-13 (30.8)|2-9 (22.2)|1-2 (50.0)|1|10|4|0|1|1|5|11|+2|
A. Gordon^^PF|35:51|5-10 (50.0)|1-2 (50.0)|0-0 (0.0)|3|6|3|1|1|0|5|11|+7|
N. Jokic^^C|39:26|20-30 (66.7)|2-4 (50.0)|11-13 (84.6)|1|4|11|6|0|1|2|53|+2|
K. Caldwell-Pope^^SG|33:39|5-7 (71.4)|0-2 (0.0)|0-0 (0.0)|0|1|1|0|1|0|0|10|-4|
J. Murray^^PG|42:05|13-25 (52.0)|1-3 (33.3)|1-2 (50.0)|3|5|7|0|1|0|2|28|+5|
B. Brown|20:16|2-2 (100.0)|0-0 (0.0)|1-2 (50.0)|1|3|2|1|2|0|3|5|-11|
J. Green|19:41|1-2 (50.0)|1-2 (50.0)|2-2 (100.0)|0|1|0|0|0|0|2|5|-16|
C. Braun|8:12|0-0 (0.0)|0-0 (0.0)|1-2 (50.0)|1|2|0|0|0|0|0|1|-10|
**Totals**||**50-89 (56.2)**|**7-22 (31.8)**|**17-23 (73.9)**|**10**|**32**|**28**|**8**|**6**|**2**|**19**|**124**||
**DNP:** ***Thomas Bryant***, ***Vlatko Cancar***, ***Reggie Jackson***, ***DeAndre Jordan***, ***Zeke Nnaji***, ***Ish Smith***, ***Peyton Watson***
**Inactive:**
**[](/PHX)PHX**|**Min**|**FG**|**3PT**|**FT**|**OR**|**Reb**|**Ast**|**TO**|**Stl**|**Blk**|**PF**|**Pts**|**+/-**|
|:—|—:|—:|—:|—:|—:|—:|—:|—:|—:|—:|—:|—:|—:|
J. Okogie^^SF|16:36|2-5 (40.0)|0-1 (0.0)|0-0 (0.0)|2|2|3|1|0|1|0|4|-8|
K. Durant^^PF|43:57|11-19 (57.9)|2-4 (50.0)|12-13 (92.3)|0|11|6|5|2|1|2|36|0|
D. Ayton^^C|27:06|3-6 (50.0)|0-0 (0.0)|2-4 (50.0)|4|8|0|0|1|2|4|8|-13|
D. Booker^^SG|40:29|14-18 (77.8)|3-4 (75.0)|5-6 (83.3)|3|6|12|5|1|0|5|36|-1|
C. Payne^^PG|25:27|2-8 (25.0)|1-4 (25.0)|0-0 (0.0)|0|2|4|2|1|0|3|5|-1|
T. Ross|16:48|3-7 (42.9)|2-6 (33.3)|0-0 (0.0)|0|2|0|0|0|0|3|8|+9|
L. Shamet|30:12|6-9 (66.7)|5-8 (62.5)|2-2 (100.0)|0|0|0|0|0|0|1|19|+15|
T. Warren|18:39|1-3 (33.3)|0-2 (0.0)|3-4 (75.0)|0|1|2|0|0|0|2|5|+8|
J. Landale|20:37|4-6 (66.7)|0-0 (0.0)|0-0 (0.0)|3|5|1|0|1|1|4|8|+16|
T. Craig|0:07|0-0 (0.0)|0-0 (0.0)|0-0 (0.0)|0|0|0|0|0|0|0|0|0|
**Totals**||**46-81 (56.8)**|**13-29 (44.8)**|**24-29 (82.8)**|**12**|**37**|**28**|**13**|**6**|**5**|**24**|**129**||
**DNP:** ***Darius Bazley***, ***Bismack Biyombo***, ***Damion Lee***, ***Chris Paul***, ***Ish Wainright***
**Inactive:**
||**PITP**|**2^^nd PTS**|**FB PTS**|**BIG LD**|**BEN PTS**|**TOT TOV**|**TOV PTS**||
|:—|:–:|:–:|:–:|:–:|:–:|:–:|:–:|:–:|
**DEN**|72|15|10|9|11|9|14|[](/DEN)|
**PHX**|46|7|20|10|40|13|15|[](/PHX)|
**Lead Changes: 16** | **Times Tied: 12** | **Gametime: 2:24** | **Attendance: 17071**
*Officials: Tony Brothers, Ed Malloy, Justin Van Duyne, Jacyn Goble*
by BigHoneyBot
46 Comments
I worry about Game 5 IDK there is some talk that Jokic could get suspended for that shove and if that happens FUCK THE NBA FUCK THE SUNS FUCK THE REFS.
He could have just fckin tried PAYTON SWATson for 3 minutes on Durant or Book. Not like they were ever to miss in those two games.
Jeff is unplayable. KCP, Bruce and AG need to step up.
But Jamal and MPJ have to play with some urgency. I was so mad when Ayton scored that and one on MPJ. They are playing nothing on Defense, and then not producing on Offense as well.
I just hope someone will join to help Jok. And that we will get normal whistle for one fuckin game.
Malone, Jeff gotta sit.
Booker with 5 fouls two straight games, and most were called in the 2nd half. Malone needs to scheme to get Booker into foul trouble earlier.
https://preview.redd.it/tiun3t4ifkya1.jpeg?width=500&format=pjpg&auto=webp&v=enabled&s=ce1d2e38cdc0869fbde408f79c32094bd874f615
Mat Ishbia on the phone with Adam Silver, asking for Jok’s suspension
Switch out Jamal for Dame and we easily win these last two games and sweep the series. Jamal and MPJ just aren’t consistent and are both massive defensive liabilities.
An adjustment that comes to mind is the end of quarter line ups. We got fucking killed for 3 straight quarters in the last two minutes.
Watching this series has got me thinking more about the mystical Luka and Jokic pairing. I know many were slamming it for defense.
Luka may not be a great defender, but is he dramatically worse than Murray? Doubtful. Got more size for one.
And considering not even the defensive specialists we brought in (KCP, Bruce) can guard they stars they are meant to, I wouldn’t stress about Lukas defense.
But imagine having a star player next to Jokic that can also reliably drop 30-40 every game. Not to mention his superior playmaking and rebounding.
If Doncic stays unhappy in Dallas and asks out, I hope the FO is aggressive.
Guys I just realized that Malone forgot to bring it in. Someone tell him, and it should be an easy Nuggets in 6.
And I can already see the narrative going how they’re just letting Jokic eat. They have no answer for him and others just can’t get their shit together. 2 historic games wasted, so disappointing
Dropping game 4 on the road against a great team isn’t Nugglife
But if Jokic picks up a suspension over that nonsense?
Now *that* would be Nugglife
Wait, why are folks saying that Jokic might get suspended?
Dont really feel like talking about the game but these announcers are something else.
“BOOKER ABSOLUTELY ELECTRIC TONIGHT WITH 36 POInTS”
“And jokic scores again. He has like 49 or something…… oh he has 51 sorry”
The homer in me says the refs lost this game for us, but they need they need to use more of their depth. None of the player are optimal but they have Jeff Green figured and can’t not get this many minutes a game. Also rebounds
Trade Jamal Murray is back on the menu LETS GOOOOO
Stating the obvious here but Malone has to try something different with the rotations and Jeff green minutes. I highly doubt Bryant sees the court under Malone so Zeke or Watson need to play next game
This team is not being physical enough on Booker. Why the fuck isn’t Braun guarding him? Malone keep putting him on KD when Brown can do it. When Booker in-bound the ball, why is he freely bringing the ball up the court with no press? Have somebody press and pressure him and that should be CB. This weak ass defense I called it out on Anthony Edwards and got down-voted. 1st 2 games shut me up, but I’m back talking about it again. Yes I do want Pwat and Zeke and even DJ. DJ can protect the paint better than AG with the bench and PWat and Zeke can defend way better than Jeff. This series is about adjustments and Monty has made them
Can’t lose a series to a two man team. We have three max players on the roster. Guys got to step up hard knowing that they’re future on the team is literally at stake. Management can’t look at a potential L series and be okay with the output.
Frustrating game. Going to head over to twitter and vent by telling people I slept with their mother.
Feeling sick after the game still but cant help laughing at the Inside the NBA guys
I’m still optomistic about this series. But, ive been cynic for over 2 years now when it comes to Malone’s adjustments on the fly. I’ve been a fire Maloner behind the scenes. Anyways, I hope he proves me wrong.
You just knew a Tony Brothers game would have his fingerprints all over it. I hate how transparently corrupt the NBA is. When they want a series, they’ll do whatever they can to get one and assign the same tired officiating crew to it so we blame *them* as the fall guys and not the NBA and Adam Silver.
That isn’t to say our guys didn’t step up. In fact, they were awful. But when all KD and Booker have to do is fall over without getting touched it’s a *really* bad look.
“I am definitively *not* an NBA conspiracy theorist. I don’t believe the NBA is fixing games or any nonsense like that. That said, this was one of those games where it’s hard to fault the fans for thinking so. I mean just so many bad calls one way. And the 2nd game in a row.”
Pretty much everyone on social media is saying the same thing, NBA didn’t want the Nuggets to sweep
Well, on the bright side, I have no reason to be worried about our play at home. We took care of business and so did they, both of us feeding off of our crowds. Expecting a statement game on Tuesday and an MPJ sighting
I don’t think I can watch another Jokic masterclass of 42/12/15 on 65% go towards a loss on Tuesday.
Officiating and MPJ should be in jail
Doomers out here in full force. Yeah MPJ had a bad game but players can have bad games. I still believe he should be getting more looks. He’s a great shooter & if Jamal doesn’t ignore MPJ, he should better than how we are doing right now.
Suns are constantly on Jamal & Nikola. We really should be getting MPJ (& even KCP) way more open looks. That has been the recipe for success in our regular season.
The turning point in this game was Joker drawing the third foul on Ayton and forcing him out of the game. The guy is genuinely awful and we need to keep him on the floor as much as possible.
Honestly the only personnel changes I’d consider making would be trying out Reggie for a couple of minutes next game and swapping Jefe with either DJ or Bryant. Biggest issue with the bench unit rn is that no one can produce anything offensively (also a general team issue asides from Jok and Jamal) and defensive rebounding since we’re making Jock landale look like Rodman on the offensive glass. Idk I think Reggie could maybe help with the first one, like just give him a couple minutes in the first half see if he can get hot otherwise abandon the idea immediately. DJ solves rebounding and gives us somewhat of a rim protector but also makes defense on Booker/Durant harder. Bryant is a good rebounder as well and could maybe help the offense but idk, bro was beyond ass during the regular season and his defense is atrocious. See many people ask for Zeke/Peyton minutes, I don’t think they do anything. Zeke only helps if you wanna keep switching everything on defense, but he’s a terrible defensive rebounder and a complete non factor on offense asides from offensive rebounding. Peyton is just not gonna happen lol, no team is ever gonna risk their playoffs by throwing a raw rookie with less than 200 minutes into the wolves. I’d almost try Vlatko before those two but he was so terrible after his injury, and even at his best you’re introducing way too much volatility into a playoff series.
I don’t understand how Malone can rattle of every in-game metric off the top of his head during sideline interviews and still seem completely oblivious about what adjustments to make when things aren’t working.
It should be a felony to compare Embiid to Jokic.
Need a Malone, “I don’t give a shit” T-shirt haha
People shitting on Murray after tonight’s performance are crazy. Not the best game, but overall, still a decent game. Give me this kind of game from Murray every night and I’ll be happy.
I’d rather have him be consistently okay than drop 40 in one game, then 13 in the next.
We don’t need a superstar like Dame or Luka. We’ve built this amazing roster organically. Let’s keep it going that way. The real way.
The bench minutes being such a huge positive was bound to regress at some point. Jeff is cooked and Malone fucked it up by not giving Cancar a bigger opportunity in the RS so now we’re kind of stuck with Jeff. Nonetheless I hope he falls out of the rotation in favor of Zeke or Watson but idk if that helps too much at this point. The only advantage I see us having atm is the homecourt one.
I don’t want to bitch about things that sound like excuses but those 3 days off really benefitted the Suns. They looked dead tired every game with shots falling short and that break has them rejuvenated allowing them to run like crazy.
Fire Murray lol
Just read Malone is not adjusting at all. Monty put in his bench guys in and it’s paying off. They’ve adjusted and tied this up 2-2, if Malone doesn’t counter man I’m going in on any pro-Malone posters if we lose this series. They don’t have CP3. The plan was to let Book and KD go ISO and shoot tough 2’s. Why so much trapping and doubling them guys leaving guys wide open? Who’s making these decisions? Malone/Saunders? smh
I didn’t get to watch much of the game in depth, but the 4 rebounds from Jokic is really concerning. Was it really just all Landale?
High level Game 3 and 4: Nuggets starters had positive +/- but our bench was REALLY negative. Can’t let Shamet drill four practice 3’s in the 4th quarter. I’m fine with daring him once or twice if it means getting the ball out of Booker or KD’s hands, but there has to be quicker adjustments if he calls the bluff.
Unlike most on the sub, I’m fine with Jeff Green getting *some* minutes but 20 is WAY too many. Should be max 10 minutes with Peyton Watson getting some rotation minutes. I know he’s a rookie, but he passes the defensive eye test.
MPJ had some bad moments in the fourth quarter. Weak defense on DA, and the pull-up 3 on the break that got blocked by DA. In general, if MPJ is worth his max contract, with all the defensive attention focused on Jokic and Murray, he needs to be dominating his matchups. 4-13 FG and 2-9 from 3 pt range is unacceptable.
Holy shit, [this](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vDbuAgn5tQQ&ab_channel=ChazNBA) jokic post game is the angriest I’ve ever seen him and it’s not even close. He’s dropping a 60 point triple double next game isn’t he?
It’s just really sad how slow Murray seems. Booker seems electric and Murray just can’t get to top gear at all. ACL tears do that I guess
Find yourself someone that loves you through thick and thin like Malone and an aging vet.
Swear to god this dude would play PJ Tucker 48 minutes a game if the FO would sign him.
Role players like MPJ and AG will be playing better at home for game 5
The Nuggets all year have been sub .500 on the road, and basically superhuman at home. I don’t know why today’s loss is so deflating to so many, if this series goes 7 the Nuggets are the heavy favorites.
Jokic’s post game interview had the dumbest fucking questions I’ve ever heard about the interaction with the suns owner. Absolutely pathetic
Not too worried about this series. I think this is the playoff series that decides which fork in the road we take.
If Jamal and Malone improve on their weaknesses, this team wins it all. If they don’t, down vote me all you want…this team will and should have another HC and starting PG on the opening night roster.