After leveling the series 2-2 at the Footprint Center on Sunday, Kevin Durant's Phoenix Suns lost their Game 5 against Nikola Jokic-led Denver Nuggets at the Ball Arena on Tuesday in the Eastern Conference Semifinals. Late in the third quarter of Tuesday's game, Nuggets guard Bruce Brown and star center Jokic tried to sneak into the Suns' team huddle and were pushed away by Durant, who received a technical foul.
The Nuggets made a comeback at home after losing two back-to-back road games against the Suns and for the second straight game, another flopping incident occurred which led to technical fouls. Earlier in Game 4, Jokic received a technical foul for pushing away Suns owner Mat Ishbia.
During the third quarter, Suns guard Devin Booker was preparing to shoot a free throw as Phoenix gathered for a team huddle. However, Brown and Jokic decided to sneak their way into the Suns' squad and Durant was quick to push away Brown, who then went to the other side, while the 28-year-old Serbian was initially swiped away by Jock Landale before Durant shoved him using his forearm on his chest. Jokic flopped with the push, similar to Ishbiah, and the official called a technical foul on Brown and Durant, who disagreed with the decision.
Watch the video here:
Talking about the game, Nikola Jokic led his team in scoring, rebounds, and assists as the Serbian giant registered a 29-13-12 triple-double and becomes the fourth player in Playoff history to record four triple-doubles in the first 10 games of a postseason. The list also includes legends like Wilt Chamberlain (6 in 1967), Magic Johnson (4 in 1980 and 5 in 1982), and Oscar Robertson (4 in 1963).
For the Suns, Booker and Durant (26) combined for 54 points followed by Deandre Ayton, who scored 14 points and made nine rebounds. While Booker made 28 points, six rebounds, and four assists, Durant registered 26 points, 11 rebounds, and seven assists. The Suns will next host the Nuggets at the Footprint Center for Game 6 on Thursday night in the Conference Semifinals.