Denver Nuggets vs Phoenix Suns Match Player Stats
The denver nuggets vs phoenix suns match player stats from October 26, 2025 tell a much more interesting story than the 133-111 final score alone. Denver did not simply win because one star had a huge scoring night. The Nuggets controlled the game through efficient shooting, interior scoring, rebounding, ball movement, free throws, defensive pressure, and contributions from several players. Nikola Jokic produced a triple-double with 14 points, 14 rebounds, and 15 assists, while Jamal Murray led Denver in scoring with 23 points. For Phoenix, Devin Booker carried the scoring load with 31 points, but the Suns could not match Denver’s balance or efficiency. The official NBA box score records the complete player-by-player performance.
Denver Nuggets vs Phoenix Suns Match Player Stats: Game Overview
Denver defeated Phoenix 133-111 at Ball Arena in Denver. The result moved the Nuggets to 1-1 on the season and dropped the Suns to 1-2. Denver also took a 1-0 lead in the season series.
The score was not particularly close for most of the night. Denver opened with a 34-28 advantage and then expanded the lead by winning the second quarter 37-26. Phoenix did make a push in the third quarter, scoring 29 points, but Denver still entered the fourth quarter ahead 100-83.
The Suns briefly reduced the deficit during the final period, getting within 11 points at 110-99. Denver responded with a 14-2 run that effectively ended the contest.
Final Score and Quarter Breakdown
| Quarter | Phoenix Suns | Denver Nuggets |
| 1st | 28 | 34 |
| 2nd | 26 | 37 |
| 3rd | 29 | 29 |
| 4th | 28 | 33 |
| Final | 111 | 133 |
Denver’s 22-point victory came from sustained advantages rather than one isolated quarter.
The Nuggets scored 62 points in the paint compared with 34 for Phoenix. They also scored 28 fast-break points compared with 11 for the Suns. Denver’s biggest lead reached 25 points.
Those numbers explain why the final score became so lopsided.
Team Comparison
The most useful way to understand the matchup is to compare how each team generated its offense.
| Team Statistic | Phoenix Suns | Denver Nuggets |
| Points | 111 | 133 |
| Field Goals | 38-88 | 43-84 |
| Field Goal % | 43% | 51% |
| Three-Pointers | 17-50 | 9-31 |
| Three-Point % | 34% | 29% |
| Free Throws | 18-22 | 38-42 |
| Free Throw % | 82% | 90% |
| Rebounds | 38 | 43 |
| Assists | 24 | 31 |
| Turnovers | 19 | 16 |
| Steals | 7 | 14 |
| Blocks | 4 | 1 |
At first glance, Phoenix actually had the better three-point percentage. That makes the 22-point defeat more revealing.
Denver shot only 29% from three, compared with 34% for Phoenix, but the Nuggets were dramatically more effective inside. Their 51% overall field-goal percentage was eight percentage points higher than Phoenix’s 43%.
The free-throw difference was also significant. Denver attempted 42 free throws and made 38. Phoenix attempted only 22 and made 18.
That created a 20-point advantage in made free throws alone.
Denver also assisted on 31 baskets, seven more than Phoenix. The Nuggets recorded 14 steals compared with seven for the Suns, while committing three fewer turnovers.
This was therefore not a three-point shooting victory. It was a complete offensive and defensive performance.
Official NBA box score and game statistics
Phoenix Suns Player Stats
Devin Booker
Devin Booker was clearly Phoenix’s leading offensive player.
He finished with:
| Statistic | Devin Booker |
| Minutes | 37 |
| Points | 31 |
| Field Goals | 10-16 |
| Three-Pointers | 2-5 |
| Free Throws | 9-9 |
| Rebounds | 3 |
| Assists | 7 |
| Turnovers | 9 |
| Steals | 0 |
| Blocks | 0 |
| +/- | -13 |
Booker’s 31 points came on an efficient 10-of-16 shooting performance. He also made all nine of his free throws.
The problem was not Booker’s scoring efficiency. It was the amount of responsibility he had to carry.
He also produced seven assists, showing that Phoenix relied on him as both a scorer and creator. However, nine turnovers were a major negative. When a primary ball-handler produces 31 points and seven assists but also commits nine turnovers, a large amount of offensive value can disappear.
His -13 plus/minus also indicates that his strong individual scoring did not translate into enough team success during his minutes.
Grayson Allen
Grayson Allen supplied Phoenix’s second-highest scoring total with 17 points.
He recorded:
| Statistic | Grayson Allen |
| Minutes | 33 |
| Points | 17 |
| Field Goals | 6-12 |
| Three-Pointers | 5-10 |
| Free Throws | 0-0 |
| Rebounds | 4 |
| Assists | 5 |
| Turnovers | 0 |
| Steals | 1 |
| Blocks | 0 |
| +/- | -10 |
Allen’s five made three-pointers were important because Phoenix needed perimeter production around Booker.
His zero turnovers were also valuable.
However, his -10 plus/minus shows that his individual offensive efficiency was not enough to offset Denver’s broader team advantage.
Dillon Brooks
Dillon Brooks finished with 15 points, three rebounds, two assists, four steals, and one block.
His shooting line was:
6-of-18 from the field and 3-of-13 from three-point range.
That 33.3% overall shooting percentage and 23.1% three-point percentage made his offensive contribution much less efficient than his raw scoring total suggests.
Brooks did provide significant defensive activity. His four steals were tied to his aggressive defensive role.
However, he finished with the game’s lowest plus/minus at -16.
That does not mean every possession he played was negative, but it does show that Phoenix struggled significantly during his minutes.
Ryan Dunn
Ryan Dunn provided one of Phoenix’s more balanced performances.
He posted:
- 9 points
- 7 rebounds
- 2 assists
- 2 blocks
- 4-of-8 shooting
- 1-of-3 from three
- 0 turnovers
- +/- of 0
The zero turnover figure is particularly useful when evaluating a young rotation player.
Dunn did not need a large scoring role to contribute. His rebounding, defensive activity, and efficient shooting helped Phoenix stay competitive in his minutes.
His even plus/minus was also notable because Phoenix lost by 22 overall.
Oso Ighodaro
Ighodaro played 23 minutes and recorded four points, one rebound, one assist, one block, and two turnovers.
He shot 2-of-6 from the field and missed both free throws he attempted.
His plus/minus was -9.
His individual numbers were modest, and Denver’s interior advantage made the matchup difficult for Phoenix’s frontcourt rotation.
Phoenix Bench Production
Phoenix did not receive enough scoring from its second unit.
Royce O’Neale led the bench in minutes and scored seven points. Collin Gillespie also scored six points.
Nick Richards and Nigel Hayes-Davis each scored four points, while Rasheer Fleming and Isaiah Livers each contributed three.
Jordan Goodwin scored two points.
The overall problem was that Phoenix’s bench did not provide a major offensive counterweight to Denver.
When Booker scores 31 points and the team still loses by 22, the supporting cast has to be examined closely. Phoenix received 80 points from the rest of its players combined, but Denver had five starters reach double figures and also received double-digit scoring from Bruce Brown off the bench. The Nuggets’ official recap specifically highlighted the broad distribution of scoring.
Denver Nuggets Player Stats
Nikola Jokic
Nikola Jokic produced perhaps the most influential individual performance of the game without leading Denver in points.
His line was:
| Statistic | Nikola Jokic |
| Minutes | 32 |
| Points | 14 |
| Field Goals | 5-8 |
| Three-Pointers | 0-3 |
| Free Throws | 4-4 |
| Rebounds | 14 |
| Assists | 15 |
| Turnovers | 5 |
| Steals | 3 |
| Blocks | 0 |
| +/- | +27 |
This is a perfect example of why looking only at points can produce a misleading interpretation of a basketball game.
Jokic scored 14 points, but he controlled the game through passing and rebounding.
His 15 assists were the game high. His 14 rebounds were also the game high. He added three steals and finished with a game-best +27.
In other words, Jokic directly influenced Denver’s offense without needing to dominate the shot volume.
The official NBA recap confirms that Jokic recorded 14 points, 14 rebounds, and 15 assists for another triple-double.
Jamal Murray
Jamal Murray was Denver’s leading scorer with 23 points.
His numbers:
| Statistic | Jamal Murray |
| Minutes | 32 |
| Points | 23 |
| Field Goals | 8-17 |
| Three-Pointers | 3-8 |
| Free Throws | 4-4 |
| Rebounds | 6 |
| Assists | 5 |
| Turnovers | 2 |
| Steals | 1 |
| Blocks | 0 |
| +/- | +15 |
Murray provided the scoring pressure Denver needed.
His 23 points came on 8-of-17 shooting, including three made threes. He also made all four free throws.
His five assists and six rebounds made his performance more complete than the scoring total alone suggests.
Murray also hit a 55-foot shot at the end of the first quarter and opened the fourth quarter with a three-pointer that extended Denver’s advantage. The NBA’s game recap identified his early fourth-quarter three as an important moment in the Nuggets’ response.
Christian Braun
Christian Braun scored 20 points in 31 minutes.
His statistical line was:
- 20 points
- 6-of-10 field goals
- 0-of-1 from three
- 8-of-8 free throws
- 3 rebounds
- 3 assists
- 1 turnover
- 2 steals
- +23
Braun’s performance is one of the clearest examples of Denver’s offensive balance.
He did not need to make threes to score efficiently. Instead, he attacked opportunities inside and converted all eight of his free throws.
His +23 was the second-best mark on Denver.
Aaron Gordon
Aaron Gordon followed up his 50-point performance from the previous game with 17 points against Phoenix.
He shot 5-of-11 from the field and 1-of-6 from three, while making all six of his free throws.
He added two rebounds, one assist, and three steals.
His plus/minus was +17.
The headline moment was his athletic 360-degree alley-oop dunk, one of several highlight plays that helped Denver establish energy at home.
The important statistical point, however, is that Gordon did not need to shoot efficiently from three to have a strong overall game. His interior scoring, free throws, defensive activity, and transition opportunities all mattered.
Cameron Johnson
Cameron Johnson scored 15 points in 25 minutes.
He shot 4-of-9 from the field, 1-of-3 from three, and a perfect 6-of-6 at the free-throw line.
He also grabbed four rebounds and finished +15.
Johnson’s role illustrates another important part of Denver’s performance. The Nuggets did not depend exclusively on Jokic and Murray to create every successful possession.
Jonas Valanciunas
Jonas Valanciunas played 13 minutes and scored 12 points.
He shot 4-of-10 from the field and 4-of-5 at the free-throw line. He also grabbed seven rebounds.
His -5 plus/minus was the only negative figure among the major Denver contributors listed in the game box score.
Even so, his 12 points and seven rebounds gave Denver useful production in limited minutes.
Bruce Brown
Bruce Brown provided a strong bench contribution with 11 points.
He shot 4-of-6 from the field and made two of four three-point attempts.
He also recorded three rebounds, three assists, one steal, and one block.
His +8 plus/minus shows that Denver maintained control while he was on the court.
Other Denver Contributors
Julian Strawther scored seven points in 20 minutes and shot 3-of-4 from the field.
Tim Hardaway Jr. had a difficult shooting night, scoring four points on 1-of-6 shooting, but still finished +5.
Zeke Nnaji scored two points in three minutes.
DaRon Holmes II scored three points in three minutes.
Spencer Jones played three minutes and did not score.
Jalen Pickett scored two points in three minutes.
The distribution matters because Denver’s primary players did not need to play extreme minutes to secure the victory.
What the Player Stats Really Tell Us
The biggest lesson from these numbers is that Denver won through multiple forms of efficiency.
1. Denver’s interior scoring was decisive
The Nuggets scored 62 points in the paint.
Phoenix scored 34.
That is a 28-point advantage in one area of the game. It explains why Denver could win comfortably despite making only nine three-pointers.
This is important for anyone analyzing the matchup from a statistical perspective. A team does not need to win the three-point battle if it creates a much larger advantage closer to the basket.
2. Free throws created a huge scoring gap
Denver made 38 free throws.
Phoenix made 18.
That is a 20-point difference.
The Nuggets also shot 90% from the line, while Phoenix shot 82%.
The combination of more attempts and slightly better accuracy gave Denver an enormous scoring advantage.
3. Jokic controlled the game without leading in points
Jokic’s 14 points may look modest next to Booker’s 31 and Murray’s 23.
But his 15 assists and 14 rebounds show why his performance was so influential.
Denver had 31 assists as a team.
Jokic accounted for 15 of them.
His passing allowed teammates to benefit from his ability to draw attention and create openings.
4. Phoenix had a primary scorer, but Denver had a broader attack
Booker scored 31.
Murray scored 23.
Braun scored 20.
Gordon scored 17.
Johnson scored 15.
Valanciunas scored 12.
Brown scored 11.
That distribution is a major reason the Nuggets were difficult to defend.
Denver’s five starters all reached double figures, while Valanciunas and Brown also reached double figures from the bench. The team’s official recap highlighted this balanced scoring pattern.
5. Turnovers hurt Phoenix
Phoenix committed 19 turnovers.
Denver committed 16.
The difference was only three turnovers, but the Suns also faced a Denver defense that recorded 14 steals.
Booker alone had nine turnovers.
For a team whose primary creator handles a large portion of the offense, that is a significant source of lost possessions.
6. Three-point percentage did not determine the winner
Phoenix made 17 of 50 threes.
Denver made nine of 31.
Phoenix therefore made eight more three-pointers.
Yet Denver won by 22.
This is one of the most useful statistical lessons from the game.
Three-point shooting is important, but it does not exist independently of shot volume, free throws, turnovers, offensive rebounding, paint scoring, and two-point efficiency.
Denver’s advantage in those areas overwhelmed Phoenix’s perimeter edge.
Why Devin Booker’s 31 Points Were Not Enough
It would be easy to look at the box score and say Booker played well and therefore Phoenix should have been competitive.
His individual scoring was indeed strong.
He shot 10-of-16 from the field, made nine of nine free throws, and added seven assists.
But the full line also included nine turnovers.
More importantly, Phoenix needed more efficient scoring across the lineup.
The Suns shot 43% from the field compared with Denver’s 51%.
They also scored only 34 points in the paint compared with Denver’s 62.
Booker’s scoring solved part of the offensive problem, but it did not solve Phoenix’s overall shot-quality and possession issues.
That distinction is important when evaluating player performance.
A high-scoring game can be individually impressive while still occurring inside a team loss.
Why Nikola Jokic’s 14 Points Were More Valuable Than They Look
Jokic’s stat line deserves special attention because it shows why box-score analysis should go beyond scoring.
- He attempted only eight field goals.
- He made five.
- He grabbed 14 rebounds.
- He delivered 15 assists.
- He recorded three steals.
- He finished +27.
Jokic therefore influenced almost every major category that mattered to Denver’s victory.
His passing was especially important because Denver did not shoot particularly well from three. Instead of forcing perimeter shots, the Nuggets repeatedly created opportunities through movement, interior play, transition, and passing.
This is also why his 15 assists should not be viewed as an isolated number. Denver finished with 31 assists as a team, meaning the offense was heavily driven by shared creation.
The Most Important Statistical Differences
For a quick analysis, these were the numbers that mattered most:
| Category | Denver Advantage |
| Final Score | +22 |
| Field Goal Percentage | +8 percentage points |
| Rebounds | +5 |
| Assists | +7 |
| Steals | +7 |
| Turnovers | 3 fewer |
| Points in Paint | +28 |
| Fast-Break Points | +17 |
| Free Throws Made | +20 |
The three-point category went in Phoenix’s favor, but almost every other major category pointed toward Denver.
That makes the result statistically consistent rather than surprising.
Best Individual Performances
Best overall impact: Nikola Jokic
Jokic’s triple-double, +27 plus/minus, rebounding, passing, and defensive activity made him the most influential player on the floor.
Best scorer: Devin Booker
Booker’s 31 points on 10-of-16 shooting made him Phoenix’s clear scoring leader.
Best Denver scorer: Jamal Murray
Murray’s 23 points led the Nuggets and came with six rebounds and five assists.
Best supporting performance: Christian Braun
Braun scored 20 points on 6-of-10 shooting and made all eight free throws.
Best defensive activity: Dillon Brooks
Brooks recorded four steals, although his shooting efficiency and -16 plus/minus reduced his overall impact.
Biggest plus/minus: Nikola Jokic
Jokic finished +27.
Biggest negative plus/minus: Dillon Brooks
Brooks finished -16.
How to Read This Box Score Correctly
When searching for match player stats, many readers focus only on points.
That is understandable, but it misses much of the information available in a modern NBA box score.
A better approach is to examine five layers.
First, look at scoring efficiency. Field-goal percentage, three-point percentage, and free throws explain how effectively a player converts opportunities.
Second, examine creation. Assists and turnovers help show whether a player is generating offense efficiently.
Third, examine possession control. Rebounds and steals can create additional opportunities.
Fourth, check defensive production. Blocks and steals are useful, although they do not capture every defensive contribution.
Finally, consider plus/minus alongside the rest of the box score rather than treating it as a standalone ranking.
Using that approach makes the Denver and Phoenix numbers much easier to understand.
What Phoenix Can Learn From the Game
The Suns’ biggest issue was not simply poor three-point shooting. In fact, they shot 34% from three, which was better than Denver’s 29%.
The bigger issue was how the rest of the game unfolded.
Phoenix needs to limit empty possessions, especially when Booker is handling the ball. Nine turnovers from the team’s primary creator are difficult to overcome against an opponent capable of scoring efficiently inside.
Phoenix also needs better resistance against Denver’s interior offense.
Giving up 62 paint points allowed the Nuggets to score efficiently without depending on three-point shooting.
The Suns also need more consistent secondary production.
Booker’s 31 points were strong, Allen’s 17 points were useful, and Brooks added 15, but Denver’s scoring distribution was broader.
What Denver Can Learn From the Game
Denver’s performance was excellent, but there are still areas to monitor.
The Nuggets made only nine three-pointers on 31 attempts.
Against a different opponent, a cold perimeter shooting night could become more costly.
Denver also committed 16 turnovers.
Although that was three fewer than Phoenix, it remains an area where the team can improve.
Jokic’s five turnovers are also worth noting. His passing created enormous value, but teams will continue to pressure Denver’s primary decision-maker and attempt to force difficult possessions.
Still, the Nuggets showed that they can win without relying on high-volume three-point shooting.
That is an important strength.
The Role of Free Throws in the 133-111 Result
Free throws deserve their own section because they were one of the clearest statistical separators.
Denver attempted 42 free throws.
Phoenix attempted 22.
Denver made 38.
Phoenix made 18.
The Nuggets therefore scored 20 more points from the free-throw line.
This advantage alone almost equals the final 22-point margin.
It does not mean every free-throw attempt was created by the same action, but it demonstrates how important attacking the basket and drawing fouls can be.
The game is a useful reminder that shooting percentages alone cannot describe offensive efficiency.
A Practical Player Ranking From the Game
If the goal is to rank performances by overall impact rather than points alone, a reasonable order would be:
- Nikola Jokic
- Jamal Murray
- Christian Braun
- Devin Booker
- Aaron Gordon
- Cameron Johnson
- Grayson Allen
- Bruce Brown
- Jonas Valanciunas
- Ryan Dunn
This is not an official NBA ranking. It is an interpretation of the available box-score production, team context, efficiency, and plus/minus.
Jokic ranks first because his 14 points came alongside 14 rebounds, 15 assists, three steals, and a +27.
Booker ranks highly because of his 31 points and seven assists, but his nine turnovers and -13 plus/minus reduce his overall impact relative to the best Denver performances.
Game Attendance and Context
The game was played at Ball Arena in Denver with an announced attendance of 20,025.
The officials were Sean Wright, Jason Goldenberg, and J.T. Orr.
The Nuggets entered the game after losing their season opener to Golden State, while Phoenix was playing its second game of a back-to-back. The Suns had lost to the Los Angeles Clippers the previous night and were without center Mark Williams because of a right knee injury, according to the Associated Press game recap carried by NBA.com.
That context matters when interpreting the result.
A single regular-season game should not be treated as a complete evaluation of either roster.
The Suns were dealing with a difficult schedule, while Denver was playing its home opener.
Why the 22-Point Margin Matters
The final score of 133-111 is significant because Denver did not win through a late collapse by Phoenix.
The Nuggets built a 17-point halftime lead.
Phoenix responded in the third quarter but still trailed 100-83 entering the fourth.
When the Suns reduced the deficit to 11, Denver immediately responded with a 14-2 run.
That sequence demonstrates the Nuggets’ ability to regain control after Phoenix created momentum.
It also explains why the final margin accurately reflects Denver’s overall control rather than simply a final-minute scoring burst.
Denver Nuggets vs Phoenix Suns Match Player Stats: Key Takeaways
The most important findings from the denver nuggets vs phoenix suns match player stats are straightforward.
Denver won because its offense was more efficient and more diverse.
Jokic controlled the game as a passer and rebounder.
Murray supplied the leading scoring performance for Denver.
Braun provided efficient secondary scoring.
Gordon added athletic interior production and defensive activity.
The Nuggets also received important bench scoring from Valanciunas and Brown.
Phoenix had the game’s highest scorer in Booker, but one scorer could not overcome Denver’s overall balance.
The Suns also struggled with turnovers, paint defense, and overall field-goal efficiency.
Perhaps the most surprising statistic was that Phoenix made eight more three-pointers than Denver and still lost by 22.
That single fact captures the broader lesson from the matchup: basketball games are decided by the combined value of many possessions, not by one statistical category.
FAQs
Who led the Denver Nuggets in scoring against the Phoenix Suns?
Jamal Murray led Denver with 23 points. He also recorded six rebounds and five assists.
Who led the Phoenix Suns in scoring?
Devin Booker led Phoenix with 31 points, seven assists, and three rebounds. He shot 10-of-16 from the field and 9-of-9 from the free-throw line.
Did Nikola Jokic record a triple-double?
Yes. Jokic finished with 14 points, 14 rebounds, and 15 assists, along with three steals.
What was the final score?
The Denver Nuggets defeated the Phoenix Suns 133-111.
Which team shot better from the field?
Denver shot 51% from the field, while Phoenix shot 43%.
Which player had the best plus/minus?
Nikola Jokic had the best plus/minus in the game at +27. Dillon Brooks had the lowest at -16.
Conclusion
The denver nuggets vs phoenix suns match player stats show why the 133-111 result was more than a simple scoring contest.
Denver’s advantage came from its ability to generate offense in different ways. The Nuggets scored 62 points in the paint, made 38 free throws, recorded 31 assists, collected 43 rebounds, and produced 14 steals.
Jamal Murray led the team with 23 points, while Christian Braun scored 20 and Aaron Gordon added 17. Cameron Johnson, Jonas Valanciunas, and Bruce Brown also reached double figures.
The most complete performance came from Nikola Jokic. His 14 points were not the headline scoring number, but his 14 rebounds, 15 assists, three steals, and +27 plus/minus made him one of the central reasons Denver controlled the game.
For Phoenix, Devin Booker was excellent as a scorer, finishing with 31 points on efficient shooting. Grayson Allen added 17, while Dillon Brooks scored 15 and contributed four steals. However, Phoenix’s 19 turnovers, 43% field-goal shooting, and 28-point disadvantage in paint scoring created problems that perimeter shooting could not overcome.
The matchup ultimately demonstrates why serious NBA box-score analysis should look beyond the leading scorer. Efficiency, playmaking, possession control, interior scoring, free throws, and lineup impact all shaped the result.
