Nikola Jokic’s suspension for leaving the Nuggets’ bench during Wednesday’s first-quarter altercation in Utah, which sent Mason Plumlee and Derrick Favors to their respective locker rooms, hit everyone by surprise. Denver had already wrapped up its Friday morning shootaround with Jokic penciled in as their starting center for this evening’s matchup against the Suns when the news came down. Jokic got wind of the suspension as he was leaving the facility around 11:30 this morning.
Still, Denver persevered.
Michael Malone adjusted his gameplan this afternoon and inserted Mason Plumlee into his starting lineup, who put on his best Jokic impression, finishing with 16 points, seven rebounds and six assists, as Denver eased past Phoenix 132-95.
Jokic’s suspension caused Denver to just miss out on having its opening night starting lineup play together for the first time since Oct. 20 — the Nuggets’ second game of the season. Gary Harris and Will Barton moved into Denver’s starting lineup, finishing with 10 and 12 points, respectively. Twelve of Barton’s 14 points came in the first half as Denver only led Phoenix by five points after the first quarter, giving up an alarming 32 points on 53 percent shooting to the lowly Suns, before extended its lead to 15 points at the break. The Nuggets broke the game open in the third and coasted to a 37-point win.
Elsewhere for Denver, Paul Millsap scored a team-high 20 points on an efficient 6-8 shooting to go with nine rebounds. Trey Lyles tallied 12 points and six rebounds. Malik Beasley (19 points) and Monte Morris (17 points) also finished in double-figure scoring.
Jamal Murray finished with 13 points and five assists but was bothered by an ankle injury and briefly left the game in the second quarter. Nuggets rookie Jarred Vanderbilt also made his NBA debut, recording four late fourth-quarter minutes in the win, registering one points, three rebounds, one assist and a steal.
Devin Booker led Phoenix with 35 points.
The Nuggets host the 76ers, who will be without Joel Embiid, Jimmy Butler and Wilson Chandler, Saturday.
