Phoenix equalizes against Denver despite a gala Nikola Jokic

Despite 53 points from Nikola Jokic, Phoenix equalized with two wins everywhere against Denver (129-124), this Sunday, in its Western Conference semi-final, just like Philadelphia vs. Boston a few moments earlier (116-115), thanks to James Harden author of the decisive basket in overtime.

The Suns had to make it vain the exceptional performance of the Serbian, whose personal best in the NBA playoffs was previously 43 points. Author of a 20/30 on shots (11 ***ists), he has long carried the hopes of the Nuggets on his own, delivering a very high-flying distance duel against Devin Booker in the third quarter, during from which the two stars answered shoot for shoot to respectively put 18 and 17 points.

“He’s so hard to keep. Either he scores, or he involves his teammates, or he does both. Well… he can score 50 points all he wants, as long as we win.”reacted the back of Phoenix, who still finished with 36 points (12 ***ists) with a devilish address (14/18).

He was less prominent in the last twelve minutes, but Kevin Durant took over to finish with the same total (11/19, 11 rebounds) and Landry Shamet was the X factor with his four award-winning banderillas in a row at the start of the period (5/8 in total, 19 points).

Slight clash between Jokic and the owner of the Suns

Whereupon, the Suns defense set out to make life a little harder for Jokic, somewhat tired by his efforts like this important ball lost 27 seconds from the end, and which had only Jamal Murray to take over (28 points) in attack.

Frustrating for the double MVP (2021, 2022), who was spared nothing off the field, as he was involved in a slight clash, before the break, with the owner of the Arizona team , Mat Ishbia, who did not want to let him take the ball out of bounds. Which led to the Serb pushing him lightly, with the leader somewhat exaggerating his fall in his chair.

Jokic received a technical foul, but this kind of incident can also lead to a suspension, which would be highly detrimental to the Nuggets who will host Game 5 on Tuesday.