Suns-Nuggets Updates: Will the Suns Struggle Again in the 2nd Half Against the Nuggets?

 The Phoenix Suns (14-14) will host the Denver Nuggets (16-11) on Wednesday at 8:30 p.m. at Footprint Center, marking the final game of the NBA’s five-game Christmas Day showcase. The game will be broadcast on ABC (Ch. 15 in Phoenix) and ESPN.

This will be Phoenix's fourth consecutive Christmas game, but they've lost the last three, including last year's matchup against the Nuggets.

On Monday, the Nuggets dominated the Suns 117-90 in Denver, with Phoenix missing Devin Booker (left groin strain) for the second straight game. Grayson Allen (concussion protocol) and Bol Bol (left knee bruise) were also unavailable.

All three players have been ruled out again for Wednesday’s game.

Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal each scored 23 points to lead the Suns, while Denver’s Nikola Jokic tallied 32 points and Michael Porter Jr. contributed 24. The Suns have now lost three straight games, while the Nuggets have won two in a row.

For live updates throughout tonight's game, check back here on azcentral.com.

Suns Hold Narrow Lead at Half, 58-56

The Suns have cooled off from beyond the arc but still hold a slim 58-56 lead at halftime, with Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal each scoring 14 points. Both had 23 points in Monday's 117-90 loss to Denver.

Nikola Jokic scored only two of his 17 points in the second quarter, while Michael Porter Jr. has 11 points on 3-of-6 shooting. Porter scored 24 points on 10-of-12 shooting in Monday's game.

The Suns struggled from beyond the arc in the second quarter, shooting just 1-of-7 from 3, but they’ve taken care of the ball, committing only four turnovers, which led to just five points for Denver.

Phoenix has also improved defensively, limiting Denver to just one fast-break point after allowing 19 transition points in Monday's game.

The key question is how the Suns will start the second half. On Monday, Denver opened the third quarter with an 11-3 run to build a 15-point lead. The Nuggets outscored Phoenix 45-28 in the third, taking a commanding 21-point lead into the fourth quarter.

Suns Strong Start, Lead by Four After First Quarter

The Suns went on a 14-5 run to take a 38-34 lead at the end of the first quarter.

With Kevin Durant's mom, Mama Durant, sitting courtside next to Suns team owner Mat Ishbia, the Suns shot an impressive 70.6% from the field, hitting their first six 3-pointers. Despite going 6-of-7 from beyond the arc, they hold only a four-point lead, 38-34.

Durant has 10 points, but Nikola Jokic is once again dominating, scoring 15 points on 6-of-7 shooting. Jokic posted 32 points in just three quarters during Denver's 117-90 victory over Phoenix on Monday.