Nuggets vs. Suns: Christian Braun Scores Career-High 31, Jamal Murray Adds 39 as Denver Wins 127-120 in NBA Cup Opener

The Denver Nuggets opened their NBA Cup schedule with a 127-120 win over the Phoenix Suns on Friday, Oct. 30, in Phoenix, powered by a historic shooting night from their starting backcourt. Christian Braun scored a career-high 31 points with a career-best seven 3-pointers, and Jamal Murray poured in a game-high 39.

The game also counted in the regular-season standings, so Denver improved to 3-2.

Final score: Nuggets 127, Suns 120

Phoenix led by five after the first quarter, but Denver took a 71-67 lead into halftime and pushed it to 10 early in the fourth, the Denver Gazette reported. Braun’s seventh 3 put the Nuggets up 11 in the final minutes, and his two free throws in the closing seconds gave him 31.

According to the Nuggets’ team site, Murray and Braun became the first Nuggets duo in franchise history to each hit seven 3-pointers in a game. Together they went 14 of 18 from deep, per the Gazette.

Christian Braun’s breakout night

Braun came into the game just 5 of 21 (23.8%) from 3-point range over Denver’s first four games, the Gazette noted. He then made six 3s before halftime alone. He finished 11 of 16 from the field and 2 of 2 at the line, with three rebounds, an assist and three steals, according to NBC Sports.

“It’s just the process — keep shooting,” Braun said, per the Gazette. “This whole season, I haven’t hesitated.”

He also did the job he was assigned on defense, guarding Suns star Devin Booker, who was held to 20 points on 19 shots. “What I loved about it was there wasn’t really any pause,” Nuggets coach David Adelman said. “He just let the thing go.”

Jamal Murray takes over after halftime

Murray hit three 3s in the first four minutes of the third quarter and finished with 39 points on 10-of-18 shooting, including 7 of 9 from 3, plus eight rebounds and five assists. It was his second game of 39 or more points in Denver’s first five games, the team site said.

Nikola Jokić added 18 points, 10 assists and seven rebounds. Aaron Gordon scored 15 and Cam Johnson, back from an ankle sprain, had 12 points and 10 rebounds, giving Denver five starters in double figures for a second straight game.

Dillon Brooks ejected

Phoenix’s Dillon Brooks scored 20 of his 22 points in the first half, hitting 4 of his first 5 3-point attempts, but was ejected early in the third quarter for kicking Murray between the legs on a shot attempt, the Gazette reported. The two are teammates on Canada’s national team and friends. Asked whether he thought it was intentional, Murray said, “Of course not.”

NBA Cup standings and what’s next

The win put Denver at 1-0 in Western Conference Group A, tied with the Dallas Mavericks, according to the Nuggets’ site. Denver’s remaining Cup group games are against Houston on Nov. 20, Dallas on Nov. 24 and Utah on Nov. 27.

Next up, the Nuggets host the Portland Trail Blazers on Monday at Ball Arena.

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