PHOENIX — The Phoenix Suns dropped their second consecutive game of the season after a narrow fourth quarter comeback game short against the Denver Nuggets, 133-111.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Denver brought in its backups to start the finals quarter, but Phoenix kept trudging along and brought the game to within 11 points with six minutes remaining, forcing the Nuggets to bring the starters back out.
Devin Booker bounced back from a scoring dud last game and put up 31 points and seven assists on 10-of-16 shooting, but he succumbed to yet another defense game-planning against him and threw eight turnovers.
Oct 25, 2025; Denver, Colorado, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) is defended by Denver Nuggets guard Christian Braun (0) during the first half at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-Imagn Images
Grayson Allen trailed Booker in the scoring department, posting 17 points. Dillon Brooks was the only other Sun in double figures, scoring 15 on 6-of-18 shooting (3-of-13 from 3).
The Nuggets deployed a balanced attack with seven players posting double-digit scoring. Nikola Jokic finished with a 14-point, 14-rebound, 15-assist triple-double and was a game-high plus-27 while on the floor.
Despite a lopsided result, there were some positives to glean from this game, let’s take a look at them.
Ryan Dunn, Conductor of Chaos
The Suns’ sophomore continues to be a disruptor on the floor, and is making a living attacking offensive rebounds and meeting players at the rim to stuff dunk attempts.
Oct 25, 2025; Denver, Colorado, USA; Denver Nuggets guard Tim Hardaway Jr. (10) has a dunk attempt blocked by Phoenix Suns forward Ryan Dunn (0) during the first half at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-Imagn Images
In a season where bright spots like this will come few and far between, Dunn’s second-year leap will be one of the biggest developments of the season.
The 3-point shot will come, and when it does, Phoenix will be home to one of the league’s elite two-way players.
Maluach’s Increased Suns Production
Oct 14, 2025; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix Suns center Khaman Maluach (10) against the Los Angeles Lakers during an NBA preseason game at Mortgage Matchup Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
With Mark Williams out due to right knee injury management, Phoenix’s marquee draft pick got some extra burn, playing 12 minutes and finishing with six points, two rebounds, one assist and four personal fouls.
It wasn’t pretty, sure. Khaman Maluach matched minutes with Nuggets backup center Jonas Valanciunas, and, of course, the veteran got the edge.
However, the former Duke Blue Devil showed developmental progress. He was light on his feet, athletic, coordinated, deterred shots and wasn’t easily thrown around by the beefy Valanciunas.
It was a grim loss, yes, but many of the season’s games will come with developmental growing pains.
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