The Denver Nuggets defeated the Phoenix Suns, 119-91, at Pepsi Center on Saturday evening.

The Nuggets (2-0) established their dominance early, gaining a 30-16 first-quarter advantage. While the Suns (1-1) seemed to wake up on offense in the second period, they still entered halftime with a 16-point deficit that they never came close to really overcoming. Denver put their stamp on the decisive victory by outscoring the visitors, 27-12, in the final 12 minutes. The home squad was especially effective on defense, limiting Phoenix to 37.7 percent shooting while also eliciting 19 turnovers.

Devin Booker was one of the main bright spots for the Suns, managing 25 points and adding seven assists, two rebounds and one steal. T.J. Warren was next with a bench-leading 16 points, a total he complemented with three rebounds, one assist and one block. Isaiah Canaan supplied 15 points, four boards, two assists and one steal. Mikal Bridges turned in 10 points off the bench, but fellow first-rounder Deandre Ayton only contributed five points, eight rebounds and one assist.

Nikola Jokic paced the Nuggets with a 35-point, 12-rebound, 11-assist triple-double that also included four steals and one block. Jamal Murray followed with 26 points and added five assists, three rebounds, two steals and one block. Gary Harris totaled 18 points, four rebounds, four assists, two steals and one block. Will Barton and Paul Millsap rounded out a successful night for the starting five with 14-point tallies, with Barton also hauling 10 boards among his other contributions.

The Suns head to Golden State to tangle with the Warriors on Monday night, while the Nuggets remains home and faces the defending champions on Sunday evening.