Murray scores 37 as Nuggets beat Suns 127-120 in NBA Cup opener

Jamal Murray scored 37 points to lead the Denver Nuggets to a 127-120 victory over the Phoenix Suns on Friday night. The win opened the team's NBA Cup campaign with a decisive statement at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix. Murray finished the game shooting 10-of-18 from the field and 7-of-9 from three-point range.

Christian Braun set a career high with 31 points and recorded three steals. His performance helped Denver complete a perfect two-game road trip. Braun finished shooting 11-for-16 from the floor. He capped his effort with a three-pointer that gave the Nuggets a 121-110 lead with 2:15 remaining in the game. The shot sent several Suns fans for the exits.

Nikola Jokic contributed 18 points, seven rebounds, and 10 assists for Denver. His plus-minus rating of plus four was the lowest among the Nuggets starters. Cam Johnson returned to the lineup after missing three games with an ankle injury. He recorded 12 points and a team-leading 10 rebounds in his return to face his former team.

The game featured a high-scoring pace that head coach David Adelman acknowledged was chaotic. Phoenix's Dillon Brooks played a central role in the first half, scoring 20 points on 8-for-10 shooting. He was ejected early in the third quarter after kicking Murray in the groin. Crew chief Tyler Ford described the contact as overt.

Murray responded to the ejection and the injury by scoring 14 of Denver's first 24 points in the third quarter. He missed three free throws during that stretch but maintained his offensive pressure. The Nuggets overcame a slow start from their bench players. Four reserves combined for only 12 points in the game. Adelman used a nine-man rotation, with Trevon Brazile playing the most minutes among the backups at 19.

Alpha Diallo was officially listed as absent for personal reasons rather than a wrist injury. Adelman said Diallo had been away from the team but flew into Phoenix to rejoin the squad for Friday's game. The Nuggets and Suns were ranked 19th and 20th in three-point percentage, respectively, before the game. The two teams combined for 25 made three-pointers at halftime.

Adelman managed Murray's workload by seating him to start the fourth quarter while leading by 10 points. The Nuggets went scoreless for two minutes, allowing Phoenix to cut the lead in half. Adelman then brought Murray back onto the court. He immediately hit a three-pointer to stabilize the lead. Murray was leading the league in minutes per game at 38.5 before this contest.

Adelman said he was not sure if the current schedule was sustainable for Murray. He noted that the team needed to balance the second unit while protecting its star guard. Adelman stated that he would have conversations with Murray to ensure his health. The Nuggets' next group stage game is scheduled for Nov. 20 against the Houston Rockets. The Rockets lost their opening game to Dallas on Friday.