Suns and Nuggets Advance to NBA West Semifinals

The Denver Nuggets and Phoenix Suns became the first Western Conference teams to advance in the NBA playoffs when both won their first round series on April 25th.

Jamal Murray scored 35 points and Nicola Jokic had a triple double with 28 points, 17 rebounds, and 12 assists as the West’s top seeded Nuggets beat the Minnesota Timberwolves 112-109 in Denver, taking the series 4-1. Minnesota, the #8 seed this year after being the West’s #7 last year, lost in the first round for the second year in a row. Anthony Edwards led the Timberwolves with 29 points while Karl-Anthony Towns scored 26 with 11 rebounds.

In Phoenix, Devin Booker scored 47 points and Kevin Durant scored 31 to lead the fourth seeded Suns to a 136-130 victory over the #5 Los Angeles Clippers, taking the series 4-1. The Clippers did not go quietly despite missing Kawaii Leonard and Paul George. Norman Powell led L.A. with 27 points.