Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal lead Suns to victory over Nuggets on Christmas

On December 25, 2024, the Phoenix Suns played against the Denver Nuggets in the NBA's Christmas game slate. Despite missing star guard Devin Booker due to a groin issue and Grayson Allen due to concussion protocol, the Suns managed to secure a 110-100 victory. Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal were instrumental in the win, each contributing 27 points. The Suns started strong, hitting six of their first seven 3-point attempts but struggled later in the game. Phoenix took advantage of sporadic defensive lapses from Denver, especially during crucial moments when their star Nikola Jokic was resting. Throughout the game, the Suns showed resilience despite a previous loss to the Nuggets just days earlier. This victory marked an end to a three-game losing streak for Phoenix, illustrating the potential of the team under new coach Mike Budenholzer. Budenholzer emphasized an increased focus on 3-point shooting, with the Suns attempting significantly more this season than in the previous one. Kevin Durant, a 14-time All-Star, spoke on the topic of declining television ratings for the NBA, which he noted was a concern among fans and players alike. Many pointed fingers at players for the downturn; however, Durant suggested there are multiple contributing factors beyond the athletes themselves that affect the league's popularity. As he continues to invest in the future of basketball, his insights reflect a desire to see the NBA thrive amid changing trends in the game. The Suns' ability to outpace the Nuggets, where they outperformed them in transition scoring, demonstrated their strategy's effectiveness, even against a challenging opponent. In the aftermath of this game, the Suns look forward to competing against the Dallas Mavericks, while the Nuggets prepare to face the Cleveland Cavaliers, hoping to regain their earlier form.