Devin Booker had 36 points and 12 assists, Kevin Durant also had 36 points and the Phoenix Suns defeated the Denver Nuggets 129-124 on Sunday to even their Western Conference semifinal playoff streak at two games apiece.
Substitute Landry Shamet made four crucial 3-pointers in the fourth quarter to keep the Suns ahead. Denver lost despite a big play from MVP runner-up Nikola Jokic, who scored 53 points on 20-of-30 shooting.
Jokic used his physical play to knock over several large buckets and even snatched the ball away from Sun’s owner Mat Ishbia when the ball went wide, earning the Nuggets All-Star a technical foul.
The series returns to Denver for Game 5 on Tuesday.
The Suns went into the fourth quarter 98-92 after Booker, who had 17 points in the third, scored. Phoenix wouldn’t follow in the fourth, though Denver didn’t walk quietly.
Kevin Durant (pictured) and Devin Booker each scored 36 points as the Suns beat the Nuggets
On Sunday night, two star players from the Phoenix team emerged to even the streak
Nikola Jokic scored 53 points for Nuggets but was still on the losing side at the end of the evening
Booker and the Suns were 10 points behind with less than five minutes left but remained calm
The Nuggets were 4:55 down 116-106 but never panicked and slowly took the lead. They drew within 123-120 by 22.4 seconds, but TJ Warren took two free throws to push the lead back to five.
Booker — averaging 36 points on 60% shooting in these playoffs — was hot once again, shooting 14 of 18 from the field, including 3 of 4 with 3 points. Shamet finished with 19 points and shot 5 of 8 in 3 seconds.
Jamal Murray added 28 points and seven assists for the Nuggets.
Suns point guard Chris Paul missed his second straight game with a strained left groin he suffered in Game 2.
The Suns took a 63-61 lead at halftime. Jokic had 24 points for the Nuggets before the break while Durant had 21 for the Suns.
Jokic was penalized with a technical foul in the second game after a bizarre altercation with Ishbia.
Towards the end of the game, Sun guard Josh Okogie crashed into the seats while trying to save a loose ball. He ended up in a group of fans at the baseline that included Ishbia, who grabbed the basketball.
Jokic tried to get the basketball fast – apparently so the Nuggets could start their offensive possession – as he tried to take the ball away from Ishbia.
The ball flew backwards into the crowd and then Ishbia was knocked back by Jokic’s elbow.
There were a few minutes of confusion as officers sorted out the strange scene and then Jokic was assessed a technical foul.
Jokic (left) was given a technical foul after appearing to shove Suns owner Matt Ishbia
Sunday’s game with the Suns and the Nuggets in Phoenix was a thrill as the series tied
However, Durant and the Suns don’t have too long to celebrate with Game 5 on Tuesday night
Ishbia told The Associated Press at half-time that he was “fine” and more worried about the game than the altercation. In the second half he was back in his usual places.
Suns center Deandre Ayton was scorned by media and fans after his underperforming in Game 3.
Ayton had just four points and nine rebounds in Game 3, and the former No. 1 overall was benched in favor of Jock Landale in the fourth quarter.
But the big man got fans back on his side during the night’s first offensive possession, snagging three straight offensive rebounds before Booker hit a short jumper as the crowd roared.
Ayton finished with eight points and eight rebounds.
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