Wilson Chandler's season-high a "throwback" to better times

PHOENIX — Wilson Chandler averaged 15.7 points, 6.5 rebounds and 2.0 assists per game in 2017. That career year feels like decades ago.

This season, Chandler has struggled to find his footing on the offensive end of the floor through 49 regular season games, and as a result, his numbers have slipped to just 8.8 points on 41.6 percent shooting from the field and 32.0 percent from three. Chandler’s still playing starter minutes, but a new role in the Nuggets’ first five requires more defense — an end of the floor where he’s been excellent for most of the season.

For the first time in weeks, Chandler looked like his 2017 offensive self Saturday night against the Suns.

“It felt like a throwback,” a subdued Chandler said.

The swingman poured in a season-high 26 points on a crisp 11-15 shooting and hit a trio of threes to finish plus-10 in 40 minutes on the second night of a back-to-back.

Chandler’s hard outer shell is difficult to crack. But after he scored seven in a row late in the fourth quarter to push Denver’s margin to 13, he flashed a grin on the way back to the Nuggets’ bench.

“Just made shots today,” Chandler said. “That’s pretty much it… I just started feeling it in the fourth quarter.”

His 11 fourth-quarter points helped Denver pull away from Phoenix for its first road win since Dec. 23 in Golden State.

Over the past few weeks, Chandler has battled migraines and an upper respiratory illness that’s zapped his energy. He was only able to log 24 minutes against the Warriors on Feb. 3, just 21 against Charlotte two days later and only 23 in the Nuggets’ loss Friday in Houston.

The Nuggets reportedly flirted with dealing Chandler at last week’s trade deadline for a second-straight season. Now he’ll likely stick in Denver for the rest of the year. Maybe that certainty puts his mind at ease.

Chandler said he’s finally healthy again, and on Saturday, his jumper finally felt like it did last season.

“I don’t expect him to go out there and shoot 11-15 and score 26 every night, but I love it when he’s aggressive,” Nuggets coach Michael Malone said. “And the great thing about it was it wasn’t like we were calling his number every time. Our guys did a great job of finding him, and Wilson did the rest.”

Chandler has played well in Denver’s last two games. Despite posting modest offensive numbers of 11 points and six rebounds against Houston on Friday, Chandler played winning basketball on both ends of the floor.

Denver improved its roster at the deadline by acquiring veteran point guard Devin Harris — who chipped in nine points, two assists and finished a team-high plus-17 against the Suns.

A refreshed and healthy Chandler would be just as big of an addition to the Nuggets’ stretch run.