Jokic's 32 point triple-double eliminates Phoenix Suns from playoffs
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An assertive 125-100 win by the Denver Nuggets over the Phoenix Suns ensures the team's accession to the Western Conference Finals.
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Nikola Jokic of the Denver Nuggets attempts a layup during the Nuggets' game 6 win over the Phoenix Suns, 11 May 2023 (AFP)
Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets led a dominant game 6 performance to eliminate the Phoneix Suns from the 2023 NBA playoffs on Friday.
Suns fans watched helplessly as their team lost for the second year in a row on their home court in an elimination game of the Western Conference semi-finals.
The team led by Devin Booker and Kevin Durant trailed by 30 points in the first half of the game as the unstoppable Nuggets scored with ease against the 13th-ranked Phoenix Suns defense.
"It was deflating to see them score like that, running down the floor getting easy buckets," Monty Williams, the Suns coach said.
Williams took full blame for the loss saying, "That falls on my shoulders not having us ready to play at the highest level in the biggest game of the year. I’m not quite sure if I can compare [last year’s finish to 2023]. They both bring bad feelings about the game and what you’re trying to accomplish. Neither game feels good."
However, even though the Sun's coach tried to protect his players from criticism, Booker's performance in game 6, after only scoring 12 points on 4 of 13 shooting from the field is way off the Suns superstar's playoffs average of 33.7PPG on 58.5% shooting.
The team's dependence on exceptional performances from both Booker and former MVP Durant puts the Suns at high risk of blowout losses such as the one suffered on Friday.
The Suns traded three key players including Mikal Bridges and 4 first-round draft picks earlier in March for Kevin Durant, which severely limited the team's scoring ability to the Durant-Booker duo.
Game 6 ended in a 125-100 win for the Nuggets after a 32-point triple-double secured Jokic's tenth coveted stat collection of career playoffs. Convincing performances from Denver Guards Jamal Murray and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, who racked up 26 points and 21 points respectively, in addition to contributions from the Nuggets' role players, secured them qualification to the Western Conference Final.
The Nuggets get an extra day's rest as the Lebron James-led Lakers and Steph Curry-led Warriors play tomorrow at 2:00 AM (GMT) to determine whether Curry's crew is allowed a chance to defeat the Lakers in game 7 or Lebron extends his 16th playoff run to reach the Western Conference Final.
