Kevin Durant, Devin Booker lead Suns over Nuggets in Game 4 to even sequence

Devin Booker had 36 factors and 12 assists, Kevin Durant additionally scored 36 factors and the Phoenix Suns beat the Denver Nuggets 129-124 on Sunday to even their Western Conference semifinal playoff sequence at two video games apiece.

Backup guard Landry Shamet made 4 essential 3-pointers within the fourth quarter to maintain the Suns forward. Denver misplaced regardless of an enormous recreation from MVP runner-up Nikola Jokic, who poured in 53 factors on 20-of-30 capturing.

Jokic used his bodily play to knock down a number of huge buckets, even ripping the ball away from Suns proprietor Mat Ishbia at one level after the ball went out of bounds, which earned the Nuggets All-Star a technical foul.

Jamal Murray #27 of the Denver Nuggets dribbles the ball in the course of the recreation towards the Phoenix Suns in the course of the Western Conference Semi Finals of the 2023 NBA Playoffs on May 7, 2022 at Footprint Center in Phoenix, Arizona. (Garrett Ellwood/NBAE through Getty Images)

The sequence returns to Denver for Game 5 on Tuesday.

The Suns took a 98-92 lead into the fourth quarter after a scoring flurry from Booker, who had 17 factors within the third. Phoenix would not path within the fourth, although Denver did not go quietly.

The Nuggets trailed 116-106 with 4:55 remaining however by no means panicked, slowly chopping into the lead. They pulled inside 123-120 with 22.4 seconds left however TJ Warren made two free throws to push the margin again to 5.

Booker — averaging 36 factors on 60% capturing in these playoffs — was scorching as soon as once more, capturing 14 of 18 from the sector, together with 3 of 4 on 3-pointers. Shamet completed with 19 factors, capturing 5 of 8 on 3s.

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Jamal Murray added 28 factors and 7 assists for the Nuggets.

Suns level guard Chris Paul missed his second straight recreation with a strained left groin suffered throughout Game 2.

The Suns took a 63-61 lead by halftime. Jokic had 24 factors for the Nuggets earlier than the break whereas Durant had 21 for the Suns.

JOKIC VS ISHBIA

Jokic was assessed a technical foul within the second after a weird altercation with Ishbia.

Kevin Durant #35 of the Phoenix Suns dribbles the ball in the course of the recreation towards the Denver Nuggets in the course of the Western Conference Semi Finals of the 2023 NBA Playoffs on May 7, 2022 at Footprint Center in Phoenix, Arizona. (Garrett Ellwood/NBAE through Getty Images)

Late within the interval, Suns guard Josh Okogie crashed into the seats whereas attempting to avoid wasting a unfastened ball. He landed in a bunch of followers on the baseline that included Ishbia, who grabbed the basketball.

Jokic was attempting to get the basketball rapidly — apparently so the Nuggets may begin their offensive possession — when he tried to take the ball away from Ishbia. The ball flew backward into the gang, after which Ishbia was knocked backward by Jokic’s elbow.

There have been a couple of minutes of confusion as officers sorted out the bizarre scene, after which Jokic was assessed a technical foul.

Ishbia instructed The Associated Press at halftime that he was “nice” and extra fearful in regards to the recreation than the altercation. He was again in his normal seats within the second half.

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AYTON’S BIG OVATION

Suns heart Deandre Ayton was the topic of scorn from media and followers following his subpar efficiency in Game 3.

Ayton had simply 4 factors and 9 rebounds in Game 3 and the previous No. 1 general choose was benched within the fourth quarter in favor of Jock Landale.

But the massive man obtained the followers again on his facet in the course of the first offensive possession of the evening, grabbing three consecutive offensive rebounds earlier than Booker hit a brief jumper as the gang roared. Ayton completed with eight factors and eight rebounds.