Jamal Murray (27) of the Denver Nuggets pulls the chair on Devin Booker (1) of the Phoenix Suns who had attempted to get physical in the post on his fellow Kentucky Wildcat alumnus during the third quarter at Ball Arena in Denver on Monday, May 1, 2023. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Nikola Jokic (15) of the Denver Nuggets works as Bismack Biyombo (18) and Torrey Craig (0) of the Phoenix Suns defend during the first quarter at Ball Arena in Denver on Monday, May 1, 2023. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Michael Porter Jr. (1) of the Denver Nuggets knocks a rebound away from Josh Okogie (2) of the Phoenix Suns during the second quarter at Ball Arena in Denver on Monday, May 1, 2023. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Jamal Murray (27) of the Denver Nuggets breaks free of a three-and-a-half quarter slump with a clutch mid-range jumper as fans erupt during the fourth quarter of the Nuggets’ 87-97 win over the Phoenix Suns at Ball Arena in Denver on Monday, May 1, 2023. The Nuggets took a 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven Western Conference semifinal series. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Nikola Jokic (15) of the Denver Nuggets is introduced before the first quarter against the Phoenix Suns at Ball Arena in Denver on Monday, May 1, 2023. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Aaron Gordon (50) is introduced as he handshakes Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (5) of the Denver Nuggets before the first quarter against the Phoenix Suns at Ball Arena in Denver on Monday, May 1, 2023. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Nikola Jokic (15) of the Denver Nuggets makes an acrobatic shot as Deandre Ayton (22) of the Phoenix Suns defends during the first quarter at Ball Arena in Denver on Monday, May 1, 2023. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Nikola Jokic (15) of the Denver Nuggets celebrates a shot conversion agains the Phoenix Suns during the first quarter at Ball Arena in Denver on Monday, May 1, 2023. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Kevin Durant (35) of the Phoenix Suns sizes up Aaron Gordon (50) of the Denver Nuggets during the first quarter at Ball Arena in Denver on Monday, May 1, 2023. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Michael Porter Jr. (1) of the Denver Nuggets throws a behind-the-back pass to Nikola Jokic (15) as Devin Booker (1) of the Phoenix Suns defends during the first quarter at Ball Arena in Denver on Monday, May 1, 2023. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Josh Okogie (2) of the Phoenix Suns sits on the scorers board after being knocked down by Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (5) of the Denver Nuggets during the first quarter at Ball Arena in Denver on Monday, May 1, 2023. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Nikola Jokic (15) of the Denver Nuggets shoots over Kevin Durant (35) of the Phoenix Suns during the first quarter at Ball Arena in Denver on Monday, May 1, 2023. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Jamal Murray (27) of the Denver Nuggets and Nikola Jokic (15) of the Denver Nuggets speak during the first quarter against the Phoenix Suns at Ball Arena in Denver on Monday, May 1, 2023. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Jeff Green (32) of the Denver Nuggets dunks on Damion Lee (10) of the Phoenix Suns during the second quarter at Ball Arena in Denver on Monday, May 1, 2023. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Jamal Murray (27), Bruce Brown (11) and Christian Braun (0) of the Denver Nuggets argue possession during the second quarter against the Phoenix Suns at Ball Arena in Denver on Monday, May 1, 2023. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Torrey Craig (0) of the Phoenix Suns and Jock Landale (11) knock a rebound away from each other as Bruce Brown (11) of the Denver Nuggets defends during the second quarter at Ball Arena in Denver on Monday, May 1, 2023. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Jamal Murray (27) of the Denver Nuggets scores over Josh Okogie (2) and Kevin Durant (35) of the Phoenix Suns during the second quarter at Ball Arena in Denver on Monday, May 1, 2023. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Nikola Jokic (15) of the Denver Nuggets locks up Chris Paul (3) of the Phoenix Suns during the second quarter at Ball Arena in Denver on Monday, May 1, 2023. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Kevin Durant (35) of the Phoenix Suns saves the ball and passes to Devin Booker (1) against the Denver Nuggets during the second quarter at Ball Arena in Denver on Monday, May 1, 2023. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Chris Paul (3) of the Phoenix Suns speaks with Kevin Durant (35) and Devin Booker (1) after Durant picked up a foul during the second quarter against the Denver Nuggets at Ball Arena in Denver on Monday, May 1, 2023. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Nikola Jokic (15) of the Denver Nuggets backs down Kevin Durant (35) of the Phoenix Suns during the second quarter at Ball Arena in Denver on Monday, May 1, 2023. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Devin Booker (1) of the Denver Nuggets tosses a pass to Kevin Durant (35) as Jamal Murray (27) of the Denver Nuggets defends during the second quarter at Ball Arena in Denver on Monday, May 1, 2023. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Jamal Murray (27) of the Denver Nuggets sends Devin Booker (1) of the Phoenix Suns to the floor forcing a turnover during the third quarter at Ball Arena in Denver on Monday, May 1, 2023. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Kevin Durant (35) of the Phoenix Suns celebrates a basket against the Denver Nuggets during the third quarter at Ball Arena in Denver on Monday, May 1, 2023. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Nikola Jokic (15) of the Denver Nuggets shoots over Deandre Ayton (22) of the Phoenix Suns during the third quarter at Ball Arena in Denver on Monday, May 1, 2023. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Jamal Murray (27) of the Denver Nuggets works against Bismack Biyombo (18) of the Phoenix Suns during the third quarter at Ball Arena in Denver on Monday, May 1, 2023. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Kevin Durant (35) of the Phoenix Suns heads to the foul line as Bruce Brown (11) of the Denver Nuggets speaks to teammates during the third quarter at Ball Arena in Denver on Monday, May 1, 2023. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Nikola Jokic (15) of the Denver Nuggets communicates with teammates during the third quarter against the Phoenix Suns at Ball Arena in Denver on Monday, May 1, 2023. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Bruce Brown (11) of the Denver Nuggets drives as Nikola Jokic (15) sets a pick on Devin Booker (1) of the Phoenix Suns during the third quarter at Ball Arena in Denver on Monday, May 1, 2023. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Christian Braun (0) of the Denver Nuggets passes beneath Devin Booker (1) and Kevin Durant (35) of the Phoenix Suns to Bruce Brown (11) for an assist during the third quarter at Ball Arena in Denver on Monday, May 1, 2023. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Jamal Murray (27) of the Denver Nuggets picks up the ball against the Phoenix Suns during the third quarter at Ball Arena in Denver on Monday, May 1, 2023. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Nikola Jokic (15) of the Denver Nuggets shoots over Bismack Biyombo (18) of the Phoenix Suns during the third quarter at Ball Arena in Denver on Monday, May 1, 2023. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Aaron Gordon (50) of the Denver Nuggets erupts after getting called for charging Kevin Durant (35) of the Phoenix Suns during the fourth quarter of the Nuggets’ 87-97 win at Ball Arena in Denver on Monday, May 1, 2023. The Nuggets took a 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven Western Conference semifinal series. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Nikola Jokic (15) of the Denver Nuggets dices up Kevin Durant (35), Devin Booker (1) and Torrey Craig (0) of the Phoenix Suns during the fourth quarter of the Nuggets’ 87-97 win at Ball Arena in Denver on Monday, May 1, 2023. The Nuggets took a 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven Western Conference semifinal series. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (5) of the Denver Nuggets sends the crowd into a frenzy with a lead-changing 3-pointer against the Phoenix Suns during the fourth quarter of the Nuggets’ 87-97 slugfest win at Ball Arena in Denver on Monday, May 1, 2023. The Nuggets took a 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven Western Conference semifinal series. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Aaron Gordon (50) erupts after Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (5) of the Denver Nuggets sent the crowd into a frenzy with a lead-changing three pointer against the Phoenix Suns during the fourth quarter of the Nuggets’ 87-97 slugfest win at Ball Arena in Denver on Monday, May 1, 2023. The Nuggets took a 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven Western Conference semifinal series. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Josh Okogie (2) of the Phoenix Suns fouls Jamal Murray (27) of the Denver Nuggets during the fourth quarter of the Nuggets’ 87-97 win at Ball Arena in Denver on Monday, May 1, 2023. The Nuggets took a 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven Western Conference semifinal series. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Jamal Murray (27) of the Denver Nuggets dishes to Nikola Jokic (15) for an assist as Josh Okogie (2) and Deandre Ayton (22) of the Phoenix Suns defend during the fourth quarter of the Nuggets’ 87-97 win at Ball Arena in Denver on Monday, May 1, 2023. The Nuggets took a 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven Western Conference semifinal series. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Nikola Jokic (15) of the Denver Nuggets hits a shot over Josh Okogie (2) of the Phoenix Suns compliments of a dime from Jamal Murray (27) during the fourth quarter of the Nuggets’ 87-97 win at Ball Arena in Denver on Monday, May 1, 2023. The Nuggets took a 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven Western Conference semifinal series. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Michael Malone head coach of the Denver Nuggets shouts something to the effect of, “you have number 15 on your team,” as Bruce Brown (11) handles, while being defended by Kevin Durant (35) of the Phoenix Suns during the fourth quarter of the Nuggets’ 87-97 win at Ball Arena in Denver on Monday, May 1, 2023. The Nuggets took a 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven Western Conference semifinal series. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Aaron Gordon (50) of the Denver Nuggets drives on Josh Okogie (2) of the Phoenix Suns during the fourth quarter of the Nuggets’ 87-97 win at Ball Arena in Denver on Monday, May 1, 2023. The Nuggets took a 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven Western Conference semifinal series. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Jamal Murray (27) of the Denver Nuggets shows signs of frustration in the same spot where he celebrated a brilliant performance just two nights before against the Phoenix Suns during the fourth quarter of the Nuggets’ 87-97 win at Ball Arena in Denver on Monday, May 1, 2023. The Nuggets took a 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven Western Conference semifinal series. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Nikola Jokic (15) of the Denver Nuggets handles as Kevin Durant (35) and Deandre Ayton (22) of the Phoenix Suns defend during the fourth quarter of the Nuggets’ 87-97 win at Ball Arena in Denver on Monday, May 1, 2023. The Nuggets took a 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven Western Conference semifinal series. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Devin Booker (1) of the Phoenix Suns defends Jamal Murray (27) of the Denver Nuggets during the fourth quarter of the Nuggets’ 87-97 win at Ball Arena in Denver on Monday, May 1, 2023. The Nuggets took a 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven Western Conference semifinal series. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Devin Booker (1) of the Phoenix Suns gets tough with known cowboy Bruce Brown (11) of the Denver Nuggets during the fourth quarter of the Nuggets’ 87-97 win at Ball Arena in Denver on Monday, May 1, 2023. The Nuggets took a 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven Western Conference semifinal series. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Aaron Gordon (50) of the Denver Nuggets high fives fans after the fourth quarter of the Nuggets’ 87-97 win over the Phoenix Suns at Ball Arena in Denver on Monday, May 1, 2023. The Nuggets took a 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven Western Conference semifinal series. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
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Jamal Murray (27) of the Denver Nuggets pulls the chair on Devin Booker (1) of the Phoenix Suns who had attempted to get physical in the post on his fellow Kentucky Wildcat alumnus during the third quarter at Ball Arena in Denver on Monday, May 1, 2023. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
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By AAron Ontiveroz | aontiveroz@denverpost.com | The Denver Post
PUBLISHED:
Getting your player ready...
The Denver Nuggets bested the Phoenix Suns 97-87 in Game 2 of the Western Conference semifinals at Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado on Monday night, May 1, 2023. The Nuggets seized control of the series 2-0.
