Behind another encouraging performance from the Nuggets second unit and a second-straight triple-double from Nikola Jokic, Denver blew out the Suns 133-111 to move to 1-1 on the season.

Jokic finished with 14 points, 14 rebounds and 15 assists. Jamal Murray led all Nuggets players with 23 points. Christian Braun added 20 points

Here’s what else stood out from the game.

Denver’s bench provides the spark

The Nuggets’ starters opened the first quarter with a weird energy tonight, so it was on Denver’s second unit to right the ship during their first opportunity. They did exactly that.

Jonas Valanciunas, who finished with 12 points and 7 rebounds, was a force inside and Peyton Watson and Bruce Brown‘s hustle plays sparked Denver’s bench to a great first-half showing. The Nuggets outscored the Suns with Jokic off the court in the first half and in the game tonight — that of course rarely happened last season.

Nikola Jokic in distribution mode

Jokic didn’t look to do much scoring tonight. He rarely looked at the basket in the 1st half and was content to set up his teammates.

Jokic handed out 14 assists in three quarters…and to be honest had a weird energy to him. He picked up a flagrant foul in the 1st half too.

It’s two-straight triple-doubles from Jokic to open the season. He got this one late in the 3rd quarter.

Balanced scoring from the starters

All five Nuggets starters finished with 10+ points. Cameron Johnson connected on one triple and also had a nice drive and finish at the rim as he continues to get comfortable in Denver’s offense.

Murray looked sharp in the Nuggets opener and looked the part again vs. the Suns. He had a number of impressive drives and finishes inside and also connected on two 3s. Murray looks in shape and is playing so fast right now.

Jokic and Aaron Gordon also connected on potentially the dunk of the year. A nasty, 360 alley-oop that should put Gordon back in the dunk contest this season. In total, seven Nuggets players finished with 10+ points: all five starters, Valanciunas and Brown.