NBA star mysteriously disappears after 'embarrassing' exit

Two years ago, the Denver Nuggets were embarrassed by the Phoenix Suns successful a postseason sweep.

This time, it was the Nuggets who dished retired the embarrassment.

Nikola Jokic scored 32 points successful different triple-double, Jamal Murray added 26 and the Nuggets precocious to the Western Conference finals for the archetypal clip since 2020 by beating the short-handed Suns 125-100 successful crippled six connected Friday AEST.

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The embarrassment was ne'er much evident for Phoenix than aft the crippled erstwhile prima defender Devin Booker refused to speech to reporters, stunning those who person covered the squad for years.

Expectations were sky-high for the Suns erstwhile they acquired Kevin Durant earlier the February commercialized deadline and the 13-time All-Star was besides near disappointed by what helium called an "embarrassing" extremity to the season.

Suns prima Devin Booker stunned those successful the arena by refusing to talk to reporters aft the playoff exit (Denver Post via Getty Images)

However, the feelings couldn't person been immoderate much contrasting to the Nuggets' camp.

“When we defend, erstwhile we rebound, erstwhile we run, erstwhile we stock the ball, we judge we're the champion squad successful the NBA,” Denver manager Michael Malone said.

“And tonight, we showed it.”

The Nuggets volition play successful the league finals for the archetypal clip since they mislaid to the Lakers successful 5 games successful the Florida bubble during the COVID-19 pandemic. They person ne'er reached the NBA Finals.

The top-seeded Nuggets utilized a 23-2 tally during the second portion of the archetypal 4th to instrumentality a 44-26 pb and ne'er looked back. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope — averaging 9.5 points successful the playoffs — scored 17 successful the archetypal 4th portion Jokic added 14.

It was an 'embarrassing' playoff elimination for the Suns according to prima mid-season acquisition, Kevin Durant (Denver Post via Getty Images)

Caldwell-Pope finished with 21 points. Jokic changeable 13-of-18 from the tract and added 12 assists and 10 rebounds. It was his 4th triple-double of the postseason successful 11 games.

“He shows [his greatness] each night,” Murray said.

Denver's violative onslaught continued successful the 2nd arsenic the pb grew to 81-51 by fractional time, starring to boos from Suns fans arsenic players made their mode to the locker room. The 2nd fractional was fundamentally an afterthought.

Cameron Payne scored 31 points for Phoenix, hitting 7-of-9 three-pointers portion Durant added 23.

The Suns were playing without injured starters Deandre Ayton and Chris Paul. Ayton sustained a rib contusion successful Tuesday’s Game 5 portion Paul has been retired the past 4 games with a strained near groin.

Nikola Jokic continued his superhuman post-season with a 4th triple treble successful 11 playoff games (Christian Petersen via Getty Images)

Phoenix was eliminated successful the Western Conference semi finals successful a blowout astatine location for a 2nd consecutive play contempt a blockbuster commercialized deadline woody for Durant, a 13-time All-Star and 1 of the game's astir prolific scorers. The 34-year-old had immoderate bully moments successful the playoffs but made conscionable 1 of his archetypal 10 shots arsenic the Suns fell into a immense hole.

Suns defender Devin Booker was superb successful astir of the postseason, averaging 36 points per crippled connected 60 per cent shooting earlier crippled six. But the three-time All-Star finished with conscionable 12 points arsenic his broadside crashed retired of the playoffs.

The location squad won the archetypal 5 games of the bid until the Nuggets broke done successful crippled six.

Murray was listed arsenic questionable earlier the crippled with a non-COVID-19 unwellness but played well. Murray got a large hug from Malone arsenic helium checked retired of the crippled for the last time. The constituent defender said helium slept astir of the time until the game.

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