Nikola Jokic's triple-double leads Denver to a season sweep over Phoenix
Category: Sports
On March 24, 2026, the Phoenix Suns fell to the Denver Nuggets 125-123 at the Mortgage Matchup Center, completing a disappointing homestand with a sellout crowd of 17,071 watching. The loss marked the third straight defeat for the Suns against the Nuggets this season, leaving them with a 40-33 record and struggling to maintain their playoff position.
Nuggets star Nikola Jokic delivered a stellar performance, scoring 23 points, grabbing 17 rebounds, and dishing out 17 assists, achieving his NBA-leading 29th triple-double of the season early into the third quarter. Jokic's game-winning midrange jumper with just 11.8 seconds remaining sealed the victory for Denver, improving their record to 45-28.
"It was a tough game. We fought hard, but it just wasn't enough at the end," Suns guard Devin Booker said after the game. Booker led the Suns with 22 points and eight assists but missed a potential game-winning three-pointer with only 1.9 seconds left on the clock.
The Suns had been on a five-game losing streak before their previous game, where they finally managed to stop the skid. Unfortunately, they were unable to carry that momentum into this matchup against the Nuggets. Coach Jordan Ott's squad had lost both prior encounters against Denver this season and was clinging to slim hopes of making the play-in tournament.
The game was tightly contested throughout, with the Suns trailing 117-109 with just over three minutes left. They managed to claw their way back, tying the game at 123 with 30.2 seconds remaining, thanks to a tough jumper from Booker. But Jokic's late heroics proved decisive.
Both teams faced injury challenges leading into the game. The Suns were without Dillon Brooks (left hand fracture), Mark Williams (left foot stress reaction), Haywood Highsmith (right knee management), and Amir Coffey (left ankle sprain). The Nuggets were missing Peyton Watson due to a right hamstring issue.
"We have to find a way to score and defend against such a talented team," Ott said when discussing the strategies to face Jokic and his fellow star Jamal Murray. "It’s tough to slow down their offense, but we need to apply pressure and create mismatches to have a chance."
The Suns will look to regroup and focus on their next game against the Utah Jazz on March 28, hoping to turn their fortunes around. Meanwhile, the Nuggets are riding a wave of success, having won six of their last eight games and currently sitting just 1.5 games behind the Lakers for the No. 3 spot.
With the playoffs approaching, every game counts, and for Phoenix, the pressure is mounting. They need to find a way to bounce back quickly or risk falling into the play-in tournament, a scenario they desperately want to avoid.
The Suns will need to address their shooting struggles, especially from beyond the arc, where they shot just 27.3% after a strong start. "We have to make our shots count, especially when it matters most," said Booker, who shot 5-of-14 from the field.
With the stakes higher than ever, the Suns are hoping their stars can rise to the occasion against the Jazz, who have struggled this season with a 21-51 record. The Suns will need to capitalize on this opportunity to gain momentum heading into the final stretch of the season.
Next up for the Nuggets is a matchup against the Dallas Mavericks on March 25, where they will look to continue their winning streak and solidify their playoff positioning.