Murray and Braun power Nuggets past Suns in NBA Cup opener

Denver made 20 three-pointers and shot 52.6% from beyond the arc in its 127-120 win over Phoenix. The victory put the Nuggets at 1-0 in West Group A and 3-2 overall, giving them the group lead after the opening night of Cup play.

Murray scored 28 points after halftime, finishing 10 of 18 from the field and making seven of his nine three-point attempts. Braun had 22 points before the break and finished with a career-best 31. The pair combined for 70 points and 14 three-pointers.

Nikola Jokic recorded 18 points alongside 10 assists; each of Denver’s five starters scored at least 10. The Nuggets led 103-93 after three quarters and did not trail in the fourth. Phoenix could not bring the margin within one possession late.

Miles Bridges led the Suns with 24 points. Devin Booker scored 20 on his 30th birthday, while Collin Gillespie came off the bench to post 16 points and 10 assists. Dillon Brooks had 22 points before being ejected in the third quarter after kicking Murray during a shot attempt.

Denver’s remaining group games are against Houston on November 20, Dallas on November 24 and Utah on November 27. The Nuggets have never reached the NBA Cup knockout rounds. Their seven-point win gave them an early group advantage, though a larger margin would have helped their point differential.