Jokic scores 32 points and the Nuggets rout the Suns 117-90

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Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic, right, goes up for a basket as Phoenix Suns center Jusuf Nurkic defends in the first half of an NBA basketball game Monday, Dec. 23, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

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Denver Nuggets forward Aaron Gordon, right, drives past Phoenix Suns guard Tyus Jones in the first half of an NBA basketball game Monday, Dec. 23, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

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Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant, right, looks to pass the ball as Denver Nuggets forward Aaron Gordon defends in the first half of an NBA basketball game, Monday, Dec. 23, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

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Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant, front, blocks a shot by Denver Nuggets forward Aaron Gordon in the first half of an NBA basketball game Monday, Dec. 23, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

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Denver Nuggets forward Michael Porter Jr., right, looks to pass the ball as Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant (35) covers in the first half of an NBA basketball game Monday, Dec. 23, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

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Denver Nuggets forward Michael Porter Jr. (1) loses control of a pass while driving to the basket as Phoenix Suns forward Ryan Dunn (0) defends in the first half of an NBA basketball game Monday, Dec. 23, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

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Denver Nuggets forward Michael Porter Jr., center left, drives to the basket as, from back left to right, Phoenix Suns guard Bradley Beal, center Mason Plumlee and forward Ryan Dunn defend in the first half of an NBA basketball game Monday, Dec. 23, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

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Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant, right, pursues the ball with Denver Nuggets guard Julian Strawther in the first half of an NBA basketball game Monday, Dec. 23, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

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Denver Nuggets guard Russell Westbrook, right, drives to the basket as Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant (35) defends in the first half of an NBA basketball game Monday, Dec. 23, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

By MICHAEL KELLY

DENVER (AP) — Nikola Jokic scored 13 of his 32 points in a decisive third quarter, and the Denver Nuggets routed the scuffling Phoenix Suns 117-90 on Monday night.

Michael Porter Jr. had 24 points on 10-of-12 shooting for Denver, which played without guard Jamal Murray (sprained left ankle). The Nuggets have won four of five and they handed Phoenix its third straight loss.

The Suns were missing guards Devin Booker (left groin) and Grayson Allen (concussion protocol). They struggled to find scoring outside of Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal, both of whom had 23 points.

Denver led by four at halftime and outscored Phoenix 45-28 in the third. Jokic, Porter and Russell Westbrook combined to shoot 13 of 17 from the field in the period, and the team was 18 of 28.

The Suns missed eight of their first 12 shots in the third and trailed by 24.

Takeaways

Suns: Jusuf Nurkic has had success guarding Jokic but got into quick foul trouble against his former teammate. Nurkic had four fouls and played just 9:15 in the first half and was ineffective.

Nuggets: With Murray out, coach Michael Malone dipped deeper into his bench and gave little-used guard Jalen Pickett minutes. Pickett scored a career-high 11 points and played 22 minutes after logging a total of 41 in the first 26 games.

Key moment

Phoenix scored eight straight points to cut into a 24-point deficit before Jokic was fouled on a layup. He missed the free throw, but the Nuggets grabbed the rebound and Hunter Tyson hit a corner 3-pointer to give Denver a 100-79 lead heading into the fourth.

Key stat

The Nuggets are 4-0 on the second night of back-to-back games.

Up next

The teams meet again on Christmas night in Phoenix.

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AP NHL: https://www.apnews.com/hub/NHL