{"id":481205,"date":"2024-03-28T03:47:18","date_gmt":"2024-03-28T07:47:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/7sport.net\/en\/?post_type=news&p=481205"},"modified":"2024-03-28T03:47:18","modified_gmt":"2024-03-28T07:47:18","slug":"durant-scores-30-suns-beat-nuggets-104-97","status":"publish","type":"news","link":"https:\/\/7sport.net\/en\/news\/durant-scores-30-suns-beat-nuggets-104-97\/","title":{"rendered":"Durant scores 30, Suns beat Nuggets 104-97"},"content":{"rendered":"

Kevin Durant<\/a><\/a> showcased his prowess with an impressive performance, tallying 30 points, 13 rebounds, and five blocks as the Phoenix Suns<\/a> secured their second victory in Denver this month, defeating the defending champion Nuggets 104-97 on Wednesday night.<\/p>\n

Despite possessing the toughest remaining schedule in the NBA, the Suns managed to edge ahead of Sacramento by a half-game, claiming the seventh spot in the Western Conference standings. Their aim is to climb to sixth place to avoid a play-in game, with Dallas currently holding that position and leading Phoenix by a mere half-game.<\/p>\n

The absence of starting point guard Jamal Murray<\/a> due to a sprained left ankle posed a challenge for the Western Conference-leading Nuggets. Despite Nikola Jokic<\/a><\/a>‘s commendable effort of 22 points, nine rebounds, and 10 assists, playing through lower back pain and left hip soreness, the Nuggets struggled to maintain their momentum.<\/p>\n

This loss marks only the third defeat for the Nuggets in 18 games since the All-Star break, with two of those losses inflicted by the Suns, who previously triumphed over Denver 117-107 in overtime at Ball Arena on March 5th.<\/p>\n