DENVER -- Deandre Ayton scrutinized the box score & could not believe his eyes as he read Nikola Jokic's stat line: 32 points, 20 rebounds, 10 assists.
"It's crazy. He's the MVP," the Phoenix Suns put the Joker's historic triple-double on the verge of eliminating the Nuggets after beating Denver 116-102 Friday night.
After a raucous pregame ceremony celebrating his MVP award, Jokic joined Wilt Chamberlain & Kareem Abdul-Jabbar in an NBA playoff game as the only player with 30 points, 20 boards & 10 assists. Jokic, however, was later apologetic, telling his teammates that the loss was caused by his 13-for-29 shooting performance.
Nonsense, said Denver guard Monte Morris, who called Jokic's performance phenomenal.
"He's taking us," Morris said. "We have to help him."
Morris scored 21 off the bench but four other Denver starters scored just 30 points halfway by Michael Porter Jr., a 5 of 13 off the floor.
Devin Booker scored 28 points & teamed up with Chris Paul to lead a steady offensive attack that countered Jokic's big night.
"We knew that Joker would be presented with the trophy before the game, it would be an emotional game for him," Paul said. "We just talked about understanding his runs."
Jokic considered his big game more frightening than historical.
"I am disappointed with myself because I missed shots, which was four out of nine free throws," said Jokic. "I did not play at the top of my game, especially in terms of shooting. It will be a lot easier for us if I start making shots. Of course, they are making it difficult for me to make shots."
With their sixth straight win, second-seeded Suns took a best-of-seven series lead 3–0. Game 4 is Sunday at the Ball Arena.
Paul had 27 points, eight assists & three steals for the Suns, who retreated after halftime for the third time in a row. All 5 of Phoenix's starts scored in double digits.
They are 1 win away from their 1st trip to the Western Conference Finals since 2009–10—the last time the Phoenix made the playoffs.
The third-seeded Nuggets, who reached the conference finals last year, are on the verge of drifting into the playoff series for the 1st time since the Lakers knocked them out in the first round in 2007–08.
Jokic dedicated his MVP award to his teammates during a loud pregame ceremony, which Nuggets coach Michael Malone expected his team to lose by 17, 25 & now 14 points in this second-round series. Will have to
Of the 18,277 crowd, Malone said, "I just feel bad that we did not get a win for him because he made the atmosphere electric."
"During the trophy ceremony, we were right that when they get off the court, let's get out there & lock in," Booker said.
Suns coach Monty Williams said his team was ready to boost energy to the large crowd supplied by serenading Jokic.
"We did not want to disrespect Jokic's moment. Plus, we came here to win a game," Williams said. "It's something we focused on for a while, being able to strike a balance in those moments. Whether it's a state of emotional disturbance and something like tonight."
The Nuggets' first MVP was mostly MIA in the early stages, as the Sons took a 37-27 lead after a quarter to gain 74.46 percent. Jokic scored seven points in that quarter but none until the 4:45 mark.
Malone, who accused his team of abandoning his team after a loss in Game 2, said before secrecy that he liked his team's flexibility, & that opinion did not change until later.
"I thought our guys played really hard. I think we just let it be there," Malone said. "I really think the game came down to two things: turnover" & the Sun's 14-2 run spread in the third & fourth quarters.
This is something they could not overcome, even their MVP did not give them another epic MVP performance.
Tip-ins:
The Sons: The Phoenix took a double-digit lead in the 1st half but cooled off in the final 90 seconds of the second quarter, allowing the Nuggets to draw 59-55 at halftime. ...Sons shot 50% in the 1st half, both from outside the arc & off the field, & made all 11 of his free throws.
Nuggets: Missing his first seven shots after halftime, he took away the momentum he had taken at the break by closing for 6-0. ... Will Barton added 14 points in his second game with a hamstring injury.