So much for skipping a beat.
The Nuggets began the day thinking would be active Friday only to later learn that he was suspended for leaving the bench area during Wednesday’s altercation.
It didn’t matter.
The Nuggets pounded the Suns 132-95 in his absence to improve to 32-15 overall and 21-4 at .
Eight Nuggets scored in double figures, and Denver dominated the glass 57-35 in the rout.
Friday should’ve been the first time since the second game of the season that the Nuggets rolled out their original starting five. But without Jokic, filled in the frontcourt gaps, led fastbreaks and kept the Nuggets active on the glass. Plumlee finished with 16 points, seven rebounds and a team-high six assists.
The frontcourt combination of Plumlee and (20 points, nine rebounds) kept the Nuggets comfortably ahead by double-digits in the third quarter while the defense simultaneously forced six of the Suns’ 15 turnovers. Devin Booker’s relentless drives to the basket were the Suns’ best source of offense as he finished with a game-high 35.
Plumlee, one of the most heralded backup centers in the NBA, filled in seamlessly alongside the starters, but Denver will get Jokic back for Saturday’s matchup against Philadelphia.
The Nuggets understood the NBA’s explanation for his suspension but weren’t entirely satisfied given “similar instances” where the rule wasn’t applied.
“Talked to the league, appreciate their willingness to talk and explain their decision to suspend him,” Nuggets coach Michael Malone said. “I felt, we felt pretty strongly that he would not be suspended based on other instances, similar instances, but they saw this in a different light.”
The NBA’s explanation said that the several steps Jokic took toward the fray “created the potential for further escalation.”
Asked to expand on what the NBA had told the Nuggets, Malone said the league felt Jokic moved in an aggressive manner.
“The rules are the rules,” Malone said. “Obviously you want them to be delivered consistently, but they just felt Nikola was a little bit aggressive in his movement along the baseline, which they feel could’ve maybe escalated the situation.”
Malone insisted his team not dwell on who was missing, especially given the fact the Suns beat the Nuggets the last time these two teams faced on Jan. 12.
“I don’t see bad team, good team,” said. “I see teams that play hard and teams that have talent. We lost to them. We can lose to any team, we can beat any team. If we can beat anybody, we can also lose to anybody.”
Despite Malone’s insistence on improving the defense, the Nuggets have slipped substantially in that regard since Dec. 1. The first half against Phoenix was largely more of the same before a late surge created some distance.
It was 45-45 with 7:18 remaining in the second quarter before the Nuggets stretched the lead to 70-55 heading into halftime. With Jokic out, Murray was the primary offensive conductor, but he got help from Barton and Plumlee as well. The three combined for 35 points as the Nuggets connected on nine 3-pointers. The highlight of the half came off a soaring alley-oop from Murray to Plumlee off a clever pick-and-roll. Even more encouraging, it was the second straight game Barton looked more comfortable and confident creating on the offensive end.
Booker was a menace getting to the basket and had 21 points to go along with eight free throws after two.
