NBARecap

Murray scores 39 as Nuggets hold off Suns 127-120

Christian Braun adds 31 on 7-of-9 from three as Denver outshoots Phoenix from deep and at the line.

Murray: 39 points, 7 of 9 on threes
Braun: 31 points, 11-of-16 shooting
Denver: 20-of-38 on threes; Phoenix: 18-of-42

Published October 31, 2026 at 1:15 AM1 min read How this story was written

Final

Denver Nuggets

Phoenix Suns

Box score and plays

Jamal Murray scored 39 points and the Denver Nuggets beat the Phoenix Suns 127-120 at Phoenix on Friday, October 30, with Murray and Christian Braun sealing it at the free-throw line.

Murray made 10 of 18 shots, including 7 of 9 from three, and 12 of 15 free throws. He also had eight rebounds. Denver led by 13, at 103-90, late in the third quarter.

Braun scored 31 for Denver (3-2) on 11-of-16 shooting, 7 of 9 from three. Nikola Jokic had a double-double of 18 points and 10 assists.

Phoenix (1-3) led 45-38 in the second quarter, but Denver scored 39 points in the period to take control. The game had 11 lead changes before the Nuggets pulled away in the third.

Oso Ighodaro's dunk off a Jordan Goodwin pass cut it to 123-117 with 35.4 seconds left. Murray made two free throws at 13.4 for a 125-117 lead, and Goodwin's 25-foot three made it 125-120. Braun sealed it with two free throws at 0.8.

Miles Bridges led Phoenix with 24 points and 10 rebounds. Dillon Brooks scored 22 in 21 minutes, Devin Booker had 20 on 7-of-19 shooting, and Collin Gillespie added 16 points and 10 assists off the bench.

Shooting made the difference. Denver's effective field goal percentage was 64.2 to Phoenix's 58.5, and the Nuggets went 23 of 30 at the line to Phoenix's 10 of 11. Phoenix's bench outscored Denver's 43-12.

Denver made 20 of 38 threes; Phoenix made 18 of 42.