Suns vs Nuggets Series Preview: Previous Meetings, Key Players, and Schedule

• Devin Booker and Kevin Durant led the Suns to a 4-1 series win over the LA Clippers
• Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray led the Nuggets to a 4-1 series win over the Wolves
• The Suns and the Nuggets split their regular season series

The Denver Nuggets advanced to the Western Conference Semifinals with a thrilling Game 5 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves, ultimately winning the series 4-1.

The Nuggets now move forward to face the Phoenix Suns, who also won their series in five games after defeating the Los Angeles Clippers on Tuesday night.

Sports Brief breaks down the upcoming playoff series between the Nuggets and the Suns.

Previous meetings this season 

The Suns and the Nuggets tied their regular season series at two games apiece. Denver won the first two meetings by an average of 16 points.

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The Suns finally recorded their first win against the Nuggets on March 31, pulling off a 100-93 victory.

They evened the season series on April 6, with Phoenix recording a 119-115 win, per ESPN. The Suns had a tough time in that contest despite the Nuggets resting their stars.

Key players for the Suns 

Kevin Durant and Devin Booker flourished in their first playoff series together, combining for 328 points in the five games they played against the Los Angeles Clippers.

They became the first teammates since Laker duo Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O'Neal in the 2003 Playoffs to each score at least 25 points in five straight games to start a postseason.

Durant has put up impressive numbers against the Nuggets in his career, averaging 28.5 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 4.5 assists in 45 games.

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Key players for the Nuggets

Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray wreaked havoc in the first round of the 2023 NBA Playoffs.

Jokic recorded two triple-doubles in the series against the Wolves. He saved the best for last, racking up 28 points, 17 rebounds, 12 assists, two steals, and two blocks in Game 5.

Murray punished Minnesota’s defense, averaging a team-high 27.2 points per game. He scored 35 points in the series clincher.

Jokic loved playing against the Suns this season. He averaged 31.0 points, 16.5 rebounds, and 12.0 assists in two meetings with Phoenix this campaign.

He destroyed Phoenix on Christmas Day, scoring 41 points, grabbing 15 rebounds, and dishing out 15 assists in a 128-125 overtime win.

Series schedule

Game 1: Phoenix Suns at Denver Nuggets, Ball Arena (April 29)

Game 2: Phoenix Suns at Denver Nuggets, Ball Arena (May 1)

Game 3: Denver Nuggets at Phoenix Suns, Footprint Center (May 5)

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Game 4: Denver Nuggets at Phoenix Suns, Footprint Center (May 7)

Game 5: Phoenix Suns at Denver Nuggets, Ball Arena (May 9) *

Game 6: Denver Nuggets at Phoenix Suns, Footprint Center (May 11) *

Game 7: Phoenix Suns at Denver Nuggets, Ball Arena (May 14) *

* If necessary

Joker makes history

Sports Brief recently reported on Jokic making history in Game 5 against Minnesota.

He became the fifth player in NBA history to record a 25-15-10 stat line in a clinching opportunity.

The Serbian big man joined Oscar Robertson (1963), Chamberlain (1967), James Worthy (1988), and LeBron James (2020) in that exclusive group.