Phoenix Suns lose to Denver Nuggets as Dillon Brooks is thrown out
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Phoenix Suns lose to Denver Nuggets as Dillon Brooks is thrown out
Duane Rankin, Arizona Republic·AZCentral | The Arizona Republic
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4 min read
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ThePhoenix Sunsbegan NBA Cup group play on Friday, Oct. 30, with a 127-120 loss to theDenver Nuggetsbefore a sellout crowd of 17,071 at Mortgage Matchup Center.
The Nuggets (2-2) were coming off a 104-91 victory on Oct. 28 over the New Orleans Pelicans to begin a two-game road trip that ended Friday with an offensive eruption in topping the Suns.
Jamal Murray scored a game-high 39 points to lead the Nuggets while Christian Braun went for a career-high 31 points as both players shot 7-of-9 from 3.
Phoenix Suns forward Ryan Dunn (0) puts up a layup against Denver Nuggets guard DeMar DeRozan (10) during the first half at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix, on Oct. 30, 2026.
(Joe Camporeale/IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Phoenix Suns forward Ryan Dunn (0) blocks a shot by Denver Nuggets forward Cameron Johnson (23) during the first half at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix, on Oct. 30, 2026.
(Joe Camporeale/IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Phoenix Suns head coach Jordan Ott reacts during the first half of the game against the Denver Nuggets at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix, on Oct. 30, 2026.
(Joe Camporeale/IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Phoenix Suns forward Ryan Dunn (0) shoots over Denver Nuggets guard DeMar DeRozan (10) during the first half at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix, on Oct. 30, 2026.
(Joe Camporeale/IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (15) shoots over Denver Nuggets guard DeMar DeRozan (10) during the first half at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix, on Oct. 30, 2026.
(Joe Camporeale/IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (15) reacts after making a three point basket against the Denver Nuggets during the first half at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix, on Oct. 30, 2026.
(Joe Camporeale/IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Phoenix Suns head coach Jordan Ott reacts during the first half of the game against the Denver Nuggets at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix, on Oct. 30, 2026.
(Joe Camporeale/IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Denver Nuggets forward Aaron Gordon (32) protects the ball from Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (15) and Phoenix Suns forward Miles Bridges (22) during the second half at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix, on Oct. 30, 2026.
(Joe Camporeale/IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Phoenix Suns forward Miles Bridges (22) controls the ball against the Denver Nuggets during the second half at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix, on Oct. 30, 2026.
(Joe Camporeale/IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Phoenix Suns forward Dillon Brooks (3) shoots over Denver Nuggets guard Christian Braun (0) during the second half at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix, on Oct. 30, 2026.
(Joe Camporeale/IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Denver Nuggets guard Christian Braun (0) guards Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (15) during the second half at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix, on Oct. 30, 2026.
(Joe Camporeale/IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Phoenix Suns forward Miles Bridges (22) shoots against the Denver Nuggets during the second half at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix, on Oct. 30, 2026.
(Joe Camporeale/IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (15) goes up for a layup against Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) during the second half at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix, on Oct. 30, 2026.
(Joe Camporeale/IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (15) goes up for a layup against Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) during the second half at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix, on Oct. 30, 2026.
(Joe Camporeale/IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (15) dribbles against the Denver Nuggets during the second half at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix, on Oct. 30, 2026.
(Joe Camporeale/IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Phoenix Suns forward Miles Bridges (22) goes up for a layup against Denver Nuggets forward Trevon Brazile (7) during the second half at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix, on Oct. 30, 2026.
(Joe Camporeale/IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Phoenix Suns forward Oso Ighodaro (11) fouls Denver Nuggets forward Trevon Brazile (7) during the second half at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix, on Oct. 30, 2026.
(Joe Camporeale/IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Phoenix Suns guard Collin Gillespie (12) dribbles against the Denver Nuggets during the second half at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix, on Oct. 30, 2026.
(Joe Camporeale/IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Phoenix Suns guard Luke Kennard (8) sits on the ground after falling against the Denver Nuggets during the second half at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix, on Oct. 30, 2026.
(Joe Camporeale/IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
1/19
See Phoenix Suns' NBA Cup matchup vs. Denver Nuggets in photos
Phoenix Suns forward Ryan Dunn (0) puts up a layup against Denver Nuggets guard DeMar DeRozan (10) during the first half at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix, on Oct. 30, 2026.
(Joe Camporeale/IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
1/19
See Phoenix Suns' NBA Cup matchup vs. Denver Nuggets in photos
Phoenix Suns forward Ryan Dunn (0) puts up a layup against Denver Nuggets guard DeMar DeRozan (10) during the first half at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix, on Oct. 30, 2026.
(Joe Camporeale/IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
2/19
See Phoenix Suns' NBA Cup matchup vs. Denver Nuggets in photos
Phoenix Suns forward Ryan Dunn (0) blocks a shot by Denver Nuggets forward Cameron Johnson (23) during the first half at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix, on Oct. 30, 2026.
(Joe Camporeale/IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
3/19
See Phoenix Suns' NBA Cup matchup vs. Denver Nuggets in photos
Phoenix Suns head coach Jordan Ott reacts during the first half of the game against the Denver Nuggets at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix, on Oct. 30, 2026.
(Joe Camporeale/IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
4/19
See Phoenix Suns' NBA Cup matchup vs. Denver Nuggets in photos
Phoenix Suns forward Ryan Dunn (0) shoots over Denver Nuggets guard DeMar DeRozan (10) during the first half at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix, on Oct. 30, 2026.
(Joe Camporeale/IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
5/19
See Phoenix Suns' NBA Cup matchup vs. Denver Nuggets in photos
Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (15) shoots over Denver Nuggets guard DeMar DeRozan (10) during the first half at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix, on Oct. 30, 2026.
(Joe Camporeale/IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
6/19
See Phoenix Suns' NBA Cup matchup vs. Denver Nuggets in photos
Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (15) reacts after making a three point basket against the Denver Nuggets during the first half at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix, on Oct. 30, 2026.
(Joe Camporeale/IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
7/19
See Phoenix Suns' NBA Cup matchup vs. Denver Nuggets in photos
Phoenix Suns head coach Jordan Ott reacts during the first half of the game against the Denver Nuggets at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix, on Oct. 30, 2026.
(Joe Camporeale/IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
8/19
See Phoenix Suns' NBA Cup matchup vs. Denver Nuggets in photos
Denver Nuggets forward Aaron Gordon (32) protects the ball from Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (15) and Phoenix Suns forward Miles Bridges (22) during the second half at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix, on Oct. 30, 2026.
(Joe Camporeale/IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
9/19
See Phoenix Suns' NBA Cup matchup vs. Denver Nuggets in photos
Phoenix Suns forward Miles Bridges (22) controls the ball against the Denver Nuggets during the second half at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix, on Oct. 30, 2026.
(Joe Camporeale/IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
10/19
See Phoenix Suns' NBA Cup matchup vs. Denver Nuggets in photos
Phoenix Suns forward Dillon Brooks (3) shoots over Denver Nuggets guard Christian Braun (0) during the second half at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix, on Oct. 30, 2026.
(Joe Camporeale/IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
11/19
See Phoenix Suns' NBA Cup matchup vs. Denver Nuggets in photos
Denver Nuggets guard Christian Braun (0) guards Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (15) during the second half at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix, on Oct. 30, 2026.
(Joe Camporeale/IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
12/19
See Phoenix Suns' NBA Cup matchup vs. Denver Nuggets in photos
Phoenix Suns forward Miles Bridges (22) shoots against the Denver Nuggets during the second half at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix, on Oct. 30, 2026.
(Joe Camporeale/IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
13/19
See Phoenix Suns' NBA Cup matchup vs. Denver Nuggets in photos
Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (15) goes up for a layup against Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) during the second half at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix, on Oct. 30, 2026.
(Joe Camporeale/IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
14/19
See Phoenix Suns' NBA Cup matchup vs. Denver Nuggets in photos
Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (15) goes up for a layup against Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) during the second half at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix, on Oct. 30, 2026.
(Joe Camporeale/IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
15/19
See Phoenix Suns' NBA Cup matchup vs. Denver Nuggets in photos
Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (15) dribbles against the Denver Nuggets during the second half at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix, on Oct. 30, 2026.
(Joe Camporeale/IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
16/19
See Phoenix Suns' NBA Cup matchup vs. Denver Nuggets in photos
Phoenix Suns forward Miles Bridges (22) goes up for a layup against Denver Nuggets forward Trevon Brazile (7) during the second half at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix, on Oct. 30, 2026.
(Joe Camporeale/IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
17/19
See Phoenix Suns' NBA Cup matchup vs. Denver Nuggets in photos
Phoenix Suns forward Oso Ighodaro (11) fouls Denver Nuggets forward Trevon Brazile (7) during the second half at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix, on Oct. 30, 2026.
(Joe Camporeale/IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
18/19
See Phoenix Suns' NBA Cup matchup vs. Denver Nuggets in photos
Phoenix Suns guard Collin Gillespie (12) dribbles against the Denver Nuggets during the second half at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix, on Oct. 30, 2026.
(Joe Camporeale/IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
19/19
See Phoenix Suns' NBA Cup matchup vs. Denver Nuggets in photos
Phoenix Suns guard Luke Kennard (8) sits on the ground after falling against the Denver Nuggets during the second half at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix, on Oct. 30, 2026.
(Joe Camporeale/IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Denver finished 20-of-38 from 3 as all five of its starters reached double figures.
Miles Bridges paced the Suns with 24 points. Dillon Brooks added 22 points before he was ejected in the third quarter for a flagrant 2 foul. Devin Booker scored 20 points on 19 shot attempts after taking just seven shots in his 3-point effort against the Thunder.
Jalen Green managed just two points on 1-of-6 shooting.
The Suns next play on Monday, Nov. 2, at the Golden State Warriors.
Have opinions about the current state of the Suns? Reach Suns Insider Duane Rankin atdmrankin@gannett.comor contact him at 480-810-5518. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter, at@DuaneRankin.
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Nuggets, Suns on fire, Phoenix trails at half
11:19 PM ET, October 30 2026, Duane Rankin
The Suns and Nuggets put on a shooting exhibition in the first half of their NBA Cup group play game Friday night at Mortgage Matchup Center.
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Denver shot 61% from the field, going 13-of-20 on 3s in taking a 71-67 halftime lead.
Phoenix was nearly as hot.
The Suns made 57% of their shots, going 12-of-23 from deep.
Nuggets forward Christian Braun scored a game-high 22 points in the first half as he didn't miss from 3 on six attempts. His career-high for points in a game is 30 set on April 6, 2025, against the Indiana Pacers.
Aaron Gordon and Jamal Murray each have 11 points for the Nuggets.
Dillon Brooks paced the Suns with 20 points, hitting 4-of-5 from distance, but he has three fouls as does Devin Booker.
Collin Gillespie added 11 points off the bench (3-of-4 from 3).
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Booker has 10 points on 4-of-9 shooting as the birthday boy has already attempted two more shots than he did in Monday's road loss against Oklahoma City.
The five-time All-Star shot 1-of-7 versus the Thunder in scoring just three points.
Suns, Nuggets starters for NBA Cup
09:47 PM ET, October 30 2026, Duane Rankin
The Suns will start Devin Booker on his 30th birthday, Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, Miles Bridges and Khaman Maluach.
The Suns have kept the same starting lineup so far this season.
The Nuggets are starting Jamal Murray, Christian Braun, Cam Johnson, Aaron Gordon and three-time NBA MVP Nikola Jokic.
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Johnson was upgraded from questionable to available with a right ankle sprain.
Ighodaro, Nuggets' Johnson available
09:43 PM ET, October 30 2026, Duane Rankin
Oso Ighodaro has been upgraded to available for tonight's game against the Nuggets (2-2), but Suns coach Jordan Ott said Khaman Maluach will get the start at center.
Maluach has started every game so far this season.
Ighodaro has missed the last two games for the Suns (1-2) with a right oblique strain.
Nuggets forward Cam Johnson (ankle) has been upgraded from questionable to available, while Alpha Diallo (wrist/personal reasons) has been downgraded from doubtful to out.
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Ighodaro still questionable, Diallo doubtful
07:02 PM ET, October 30 2026, Duane Rankin
Suns big Oso Ighodaro is still listed as questionable for tonight's game against the Nuggets with a right oblique strain that has sidelined him the last two games.
Ighodaro suffered the injury in the first half of the season opener the Suns lost by 41 points on the road to the Portland Trail Blazers on Oct. 21.
See below where Suns guard Jordan Goodwin talked about Ighodaro's importance.
Nuggets guard Alpha Diallo (right wrist sprain/personal reasons) has been downgraded from questionable to doubtful, while former Suns forward Cam Johnson (right ankle sprain) remains questionable.
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Suns big Mark Williams (shoulder) and two-way player Drew Timme (G League) are listed out, as are Spencer Jones (hamstring) and Julian Strawther (knee) for the Nuggets.
