The Denver Nuggets were not going to start their season 0-2. Their second game of the season was also the home opener at Ball Arena and the Nuggets put on a show for the home crowd. The Phoenix Suns never had a chance as Denver led wire to wire with an all around effort. Nikola Jokic had his second straight triple-double, all of the Nuggets starters scored in double figures while their bench carried the load when the starters needed rest. Denver moves to 1-1 on the season with an all around dominant 133-111 win.

Jokic orchestrated the start of the game for the Nuggets and assisted on their first two buckets. The pace was methodic early on but it was clear Denver had the fresher legs and that let them build a lead. The Nuggets had a chance to break the game open early with Phoenix’s turnovers but their offense stagnated and they stayed up just a couple baskets. After the Suns were called for a flagrant foul, Cam Johnson knocked down two free throws and Peyton Watson finished a cut to put the Nuggets up nine with just over four minutes to go. Once again the offense stagnated and the Suns climbed back in the game. A Devin Booker three made it just a two point game with under two minutes to go in the first. Jamal Murray buried a half court buzzer beater to close the quarter and Denver led 34-28.

Denver’s bench played well to open the second quarter but the Suns kept close. The Nuggets continued to show off their depth, Bruce Brown and Jonas Valanciunas fed off each other for a couple nice possessions in a row. The reserve group not only held the lead, they grew it and Denver was up double digits when Jokic checked back in. He continued to dime up his teammates but still didn’t have a shot attempt halfway through the second quarter. He eventually got on the board with some free throws but his lack of scoring wasn’t hurting the Nuggets who still led by a dozen with four minutes left in the half. The offense got a little clunky and Dillon Brooks was bombing threes down the stretch which threatened Denver’s blowout. Aaron Gordon countered with some massive dunks (including a 360 alley-oop) and a three to push the score right back up. By the time the half ended Denver led 71-54.

The Nuggets offense stagnated to open the second half but Phoenix made little headway early in the third. Denver found their way to some points at the free throw line and remained well ahead of the Suns. Murray had some good minutes, Jokic creeped closer and closer to a triple-double but, just as in the first half, the energy started to wane at times and the Suns clawed their way back into the game. With Devin Booker leading the way, Phoenix trailed by just ten points with under six minutes left in the quarter. Johnson got a couple layups to wake Denver back up and then the bench started to check in. The law firm of Braun & Brown went to work, pushing the Nuggets lead back up. Once again Phoenix responded. They went on a 7-0 run before Denver regained control behind Braun and company. They headed into the fourth up 100-83.

Murray opened the fourth quarter with some pretty moves but the Nuggets were otherwise playing sloppy. Phoenix got within fifteen while Booker got his points. The Suns started hitting their threes and forced David Adelman to take a timeout when the lead was down to eleven. The starters calmed down, Murray led a run and the lead quickly worked it’s way back up to twenty. After Braun followed up a Murray fastbreak miss the Suns called timeout and accepted defeat. They emptied their bench while the Nuggets kept the starting group out for a little longer. With three minutes left and a twenty-two point lead the deep bench checked in and garbage time was fully on. Each one of the deep bench guys had a moment to shine before the final whistle. When the game was done Denver headed to the locker room with a 133-111 win.