Nuggets Eliminate Suns to Advance to NBA Western Conference Final

The Phoenix Suns made a blockbuster trade for Kevin Durant in a full scale push to win an NBA title, but came up short anyway. The Denver Nuggets, the top seed in the Western Conference, dispatched Phoenix in six games on the Suns’ home floor and it wasn’t even close.

Denver built up a 30 point lead at halftime, and won by 25. Nikola Jokic had a triple double for Denver (32 points, 10 rebounds, 12 assists) and Jamal Murray scored 26. Cameron Payne led Phoenix with 31, Durant scored 23, and Devin Booker was held to just 12 points. But Chris Paul, who suffered a groin injury in Game 2, and Deandre Ayton, who injured his ribs in Game 5, were both ruled out for the game. Missing two starters will put a crimp in any team’s game, so other than the margin of victory, Denver’s win is not much of a surprise.