Nuggets-Suns Grades: Harris impresses in debut with Denver

The Denver Nuggets used a big second-half run to outlast the Phoenix Suns 123-113 on Saturday. The game was not exactly a defensive struggle. The Nuggets shot 51.1 percent from the floor while the Suns shot 54.8 percent on field goals. Denver got it done in the end, though.

Here’s how each Nuggets’ player performed.

Will Barton (A) — Barton played a team-high 42 minutes despite tweaking his ankle in the third quarter. He was phenomenal, scoring 16 of his 25 points in the third quarter. He made 10-14 shots, grabbed five rebounds and handed out five assists.

Wilson Chandler (A) — Chandler has had a quiet season on the offensive end, but he busted out in Phoenix with a team-high 26 points. He was aggressive as he’s been all season. He sunk 11-15 shots and supplied some huge baskets down the stretch as Denver hung on to win.

Gary Harris (B) — Harris rebounded after going 0-7 from three on Friday in Houston. He knocked down 3-5 shots from deep and finished with 13 points. His defense left a lot to be desired. But you could say the same thing about every other Denver starter.

Nikola Jokic (B) — The Serbian played a so-so game. He wasn’t particularly dominant, and yet he still scored 21 points, grabbed nine rebounds and dished out eight assists. He got to the free-throw line 11 times. Jokic is capable of slapping up some impressive lines even when he’s not at his best.

Jamal Murray (B) — Murray followed up one of his worst game in months with an adequate performance in Phoenix. He scored just six points against the Rockets on Friday. He at least reached double digits Saturday, scoring 12 points in 27 minutes. He was a minus-eight in 27 minutes.

Devin Harris (A) — Harris made his Nuggets debut after the team acquired him Thursday in a three-way deal. He played 22 rock-solid minutes at backup point guard. He wound up with nine points. The Nuggets outscored the Suns by 17 when he was on the floor.

Torrey Craig (A-) — Craig’s contributions — like locking down on defense or hitting the boards hard — often don’t show up in the box score, but they’re valuable. That was the case vs. the Suns. Craig was a part of the Nuggets’ second unit that helped Denver regain the lead in the third quarter.

Trey Lyles (B) — It was a tough shooting night for Denver’s other Canadian-born hooper. He went 3-11 from the field. He did his share of the dirty work, though, grabbing six rebounds and blocking two shots. Lyles is more than just a scorer.