The Denver Nuggets and Phoenix Suns combined for 82 first-half points in a slog of a start to Monday’s Game 2 of the Western Conference semifinals.
But Nikola Jokić and Devin Booker caught fire in a sizzling third quarter before the Nuggets rallied for a 97-87 win to take a 2-0 series lead. Making matters worse for the Suns, they lost starting point guard Chris Paul to a groin injury.
Paul sustained the injury with around five minutes remaining the third quarter while battling for a rebound with Denver’s Kentavious Caldwell-Pope.
For the first time in NBA history, all eight seeds will have a spot in the semifinals 😳🔥
No. 1 Nuggets
No. 2 Celtics
No. 3 Sixers
No. 4 Suns
No. 5 Knicks
No. 6 Warriors
No. 7 Lakers
No. 8 Heat pic.twitter.com/QZpRiGOlMo— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPointsApp) April 30, 2023
For the first time since the playoff format went to 16 teams (1983-84) one of each seed has advanced to the 2nd round.
#1 Nuggets
#2 Celtics
#3 76ers
#4 Suns
#5 Knicks
#6 Warriors
#7 Lakers
#8 Heat— NBA History (@NBAHistory) May 1, 2023