The Denver Nuggets showed some life in Game 3, but that only gave the Phoenix Suns something to stamp out. The Suns beat the Nuggets 116-102 on Friday to take a commanding 3-0 lead in the Western Conference semifinals, all but sealing a trip to the conference finals. No NBA team has ever overcome a 3-0 deficit in a series.
A night that began with Nuggets star Nikola Jokic receiving his MVP trophy quickly turned for the Suns, who were up by double digits midway through the first quarter. The Nuggets cut the lead to single digits for much of the third quarter, but a 14-2 Phoenix run increased the lead to 20 early in the fourth quarter. There was no coming back from that.
The Suns again rode a balanced effort from their starting lineup, with all starters scoring in double digits and Devin Booker and Chris Paul combining for 55 points. Deandre Ayton was again strong in the paint, scoring 10 points and 15 rebounds.
For the Nuggets, Jokic at least performed like the NBA MVP, recording a triple-double with 32 points, 20 rebounds and 10 assists. He didn’t have much help, as Michael Porter Jr. was 5-of-13 from the field for 15 points, Aaron Gordon had four points and Will Barton still had to come off the bench in his return from a hamstring issue.
