NBA Highlights - NBA Playoffs 2023 - Suns VS Nuggets
Box score
| Field Goals | 3-Point FG's | Free Throws | Personal Fouls | Total Rebounds | Offensive Rebounds | Turn overs | Points Off Turnovers | Fast Break Points | Points in the Paints |
DEN | 44/82 53.7% | 8/22 36.4% | 29/31 93.5% | 22 | 41 | 7 | 10 | 21 | 19 | 62 |
PHX | 38/79 48.1% | 11/28 39.3% | 13/20 65.0% | 22 | 29 | 2 | 14 | 17 | 14 | 46 |
#15 Nikolai Jokic 32pts, 12 Ast, 10 Reb
#27 Jamal Murray 26pts, 4 Ast, 4 Reb
Game Highlight:
Game Report
The Denver Nuggets, led by Nikola Jokic, secured a place in the Western Conference finals by delivering a resounding victory over the Phoenix Suns in Game 6.
The team from Denver will go up against the victor of the series between the Golden State Warriors and the Los Angeles Lakers.
On Thursday night, a highly anticipated matchup featuring three of the NBA's top offensive players concluded in a lopsided victory for the Denver Nuggets over the Phoenix Suns, with a final score of 125-100 in Game 6. This win propelled the Nuggets to the Western Conference finals for the first time since the bubble in 2020, and only the third time since 1985. The Nuggets will now await the outcome of the series between the Golden State Warriors and the Los Angeles Lakers, with the latter currently leading 3-2.
During the game, Denver dominated the Suns, gaining a commanding 30-point lead in the first half. Interestingly, this was not the first time the Suns had faced a 30-point deficit in a halftime elimination game, as they had experienced a similar situation in last year's postseason Game 7 against the Dallas Mavericks, also in Phoenix.
Throughout the series, the Denver Nuggets continued to showcase their impressive, smooth-flowing offensive play, led by their star player Nikola Jokic, who is arguably one of the best in the league. While Denver received consistent contributions from players such as Jamal Murray, Michael Porter Jr., and Aaron Gordon, the Phoenix Suns struggled to generate significant production from anyone apart from Devin Booker and Kevin Durant. It's possible that Booker and Durant were fatigued from carrying a heavy workload, as both players had difficulty performing in Game 6, ultimately leading to the team's elimination.
As the Nuggets look forward to their next opponent in the conference finals, there are several key takeaways from their series victory that stand out.
Is Nikola Jokic Better?
Despite appearing nearly impossible, Jokic managed to elevate his game to an even higher level during this series by delivering some of the most remarkable stat lines ever seen in the playoffs. For instance, he scored an astonishing 53 points on 20-for-30 shooting and dished out 11 assists in Game 4. However, this might not have been his most impressive performance, as he also recorded 30 points, 17 rebounds, and 17 assists in Game 3. Remarkably, Jokic became just the third player in NBA history to average a 30-point triple-double during a playoff series, joining the ranks of LeBron James against the Warriors and Russell Westbrook against the Rockets, both of whom accomplished this feat in 2017.
In summary, Jokic has demonstrated that he is not only arguably the most skilled offensive player in the NBA, but also possesses the ability to assess his team's requirements. If the offense is stagnant, he can score a 50-point game. If he's being double-teamed, he can read the defense and find the open man. If his team needs a boost, he's willing to do whatever it takes to motivate them, even if it means engaging in some playful antics like pushing the opposing team's owner (although this is meant to be taken in jest).
There's a notion that Jokic shouldn't receive regular-season MVP awards if his team doesn't win a championship, but this line of thinking appears to be misguided. Jokic's performances during the playoffs prove that if Denver doesn't win the championship, it won't be because of any shortcomings on his part.
Porter is A-OK
While Porter's level of effort and productivity has been inconsistent during his tenure with the Nuggets, he managed to deliver consistent results on both ends of the court in their series against Phoenix. With the exception of one game, he scored in double digits in every match and drained a total of 11 3-pointers in Games 3 and 5. Given the attention that Jokic and Murray draw from opposing teams, it's crucial for Porter to not only make 3-pointers but also make smart decisions when attacking closeouts.
Defense has been Porter's biggest weakness throughout his career, and it's unlikely that he'll ever be an elite defender. However, he was able to leverage his length effectively against Booker and Durant in this series, avoiding being a significant liability. Considering his offensive importance, this is an acceptable tradeoff. Whether they face Golden State or the Lakers, Denver will require Porter to maintain his high level of performance.
“Self-awareness is key"
The Nuggets hold an advantage over the Warriors and Lakers, and that is their consistency. Michael Malone has established a strict eight-man rotation that remains unchanged unless during garbage time. This is in contrast to the Lakers, whose team has had limited time to develop chemistry since the major trade deadline deals, and the Warriors, who have struggled to find the right supporting cast throughout the season. Denver, on the other hand, plays like a team that knows each other's strengths and weaknesses, which can be immensely helpful in a seven-game series where one misstep could be the difference between making it to the NBA Finals or planning a trip to Puerto Vallarta.
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