Denver Nuggets ride a dominant Nikola Jokic performance to a 118-102 win over the Phoenix

Nikola Jokic dropped a triple-double as the Denver Nuggets put up a dominant performance on the Phoenix Suns, coming out on top 118-102 in Game 5 of the Western Conference Semifinals.

Jokic finished the night with 29 points, 13 rebounds, and 12 assists as the Nuggets took a lead with 1:25 left in the second quarter and never looked back.

It sends the series back to Phoenix – where the Suns have lost only one game all playoffs – with the Nuggets having the chance to send the home team packing.

Including Jokic, four of the Nuggets five starters had double-digit points with Michael Porter Jr. (19 points), Jamal Murray (19 points), and Aaron Gordon (10 points) coming up with big nights.

But the biggest surprise came from bench player Bruce Brown, who dropped a staggering 25 points and five rebounds on a 7-11 shooting line.

The Denver Nuggets rode a great performance from Nikola Jokic to win Game 5 over Phoenix

The Serbian superstar dropped 29 points, 13 rebounds, and 12 assists in the 118-102 victory

Devin Booker led the way for Phoenix with 28 points, six rebounds, and four assists

It was an amazing night from Bruce Brown, who dropped 25 points on a 7-11 shooting line

For Phoenix, Devin Booker led the way with 28 points, six rebounds, and four assists. Kevin Durant put up a double-double with 26 points and 11 rebounds as DeAndre Ayton added 14 points and nine rebounds as well. 

After a close first half, Denver took control in a chippy third quarter. The Nuggets went ahead 69-53 with a 17-4 run to open the second half and kept increasing their advantage. 

Two free throws by Murray and a floater in the lane and finger roll by Jokic made it 77-57 with 4:46 left in the period.

The Suns got within 17 and had a chance to cut the deficit further, but a Murray steal led to a 6-2 run and an 89-68 lead late in the third.

Things got heated with 37.6 seconds left in the third when Brown and Jokic were hovering near the Phoenix huddle and Durant elbowed Jokic, who flailed back.

Brown and Durant were given technicals.

Denver took a 91-74 lead into the fourth quarter, and then went on an immediate run to essentially put the game away.

A 26 point, 11 rebound double-double from Kevin Durant did not prove to be enough

Denver’s Jamal Murry put up an impressive 19 points, five rebounds, and six assists

Aaron Gordon dropped ten points, six rebounds, and six assists to contribute as well

Brown hit a 3-pointer and split a pair of free throws and Murray drained a 28-foot trey to put the Nuggets ahead 98-74. 

The Suns scored six straight points to get back within 18, but Brown hit two free throws, Murray banked in a 12-footer and Christian Braun had a steal and a dunk to make it 104-80 with 7:48 left.

Booker hit a 3-pointer, but Jokic fed Gordon for an alley-oop dunk, giving Jokic his 10th assist of the night and fourth triple-double of the postseason.

The Nuggets led 35-20 late in the first quarter but Phoenix rallied to take its first lead at 48-47 late in the second. Denver went into halftime up 52-49.