Nuggets 130–112 Suns: Denver’s Hot Shooting Lifts Them to Victory (Nov 29, 2025)

Game Summary
Pre-Game Thoughts
Thoughts After Lineups Were Announced
General Impressions
Player Impressions
Next Game
References

Game Summary

The Nuggets bounced back from yesterday’s blowout loss at home, beating the Suns 130–112 on the road.
Nikola Jokic put up an absurdly efficient line with 26 points, 10 assists, and 9 rebounds on a perfect 7-for-7 shooting night. Jamal Murray added 24 points.
Denver’s three-point shooting was the real difference-maker, knocking down 22 of 38 (57.9%), while Tim Hardaway Jr. came off the bench to drain seven threes and score 23 points.
Phoenix had solid performances from Dillon Brooks (27 points) and Devin Booker (24 points), but it wasn’t enough.

My thoughts today are pretty rough and unpolished — fair warning.

Pre-Game Thoughts

The Nuggets got torched at home last night.
Now they have to face a Suns team that just went toe-to-toe with OKC. Honestly, kind of scary.
Please don’t let Gillespie go off against us.

Thoughts After Lineups Were Announced

Spencer Jones starting again.
Putting Watson and Jones together means more burden on Murray and Jokic, but given the current roster, it’s the only realistic choice.
Starting THJ would mess up the rotation, so this makes sense.

General Impressions

Turnover fest.
It looked ugly early, but the shooting efficiency was absolutely insane — especially from three.
Jokic barely had to exert himself.
Overall, a good win, though I’m a little worried about Murray’s workload.

It still feels like the Nuggets are strong but not dominant — more like a solid upper-tier playoff team.
The gap with OKC is real.
If they stay healthy in the playoffs, there’s a chance, but like Jokic said recently, as fans we kind of want something more from this group.

Player Impressions

Nikola Jokic

Turnovers were an issue, but he finished with yet another near–Sombor Double.
Shooting 7/7 for 26 points is just ridiculous.

Jamal Murray

He even lets Spencer Jones fire away without hesitation — Murray really does enjoy passing despite playing in Jokic’s shadow.
Turnovers were bad, but overall he was brilliant again.
How is he shooting 40% from three with this shot selection? Unreal.

Cameron Johnson

He’s fitting into the Nuggets perfectly.
After a rough start to the season, his efficiency has bounced back quickly — his three-point percentage is now over 40%.
He’s even running some “second-unit-ace” type roles, and it’s working.
A different kind of shooting beauty compared to MPJ.

Peyton Watson

Every game I’m reminded of Watson’s signature chaos.

Spencer Jones

Foul trouble again, but overall he looked more than solid as a two-way player.
Three threes and a dunk for 16 points — seriously?
At Stanford he was a shooter, sure, but with that form?
If he really keeps hitting 40% from deep, he could push for a standard contract.

Tim Hardaway Jr.

More of these “on or off” nights lately, but off the bench, that’s fine.
His spacing impact is real, even not MPJ-level.
He’s an average defender and that alone helps this team.

Bruce Brown

Looked annoyed early, but suddenly woke up as a playmaker.
He’s not going to reinvent himself at this age, but the Nuggets need him to reduce Murray’s workload.