Chris Paul returned from a broken right wrist and helped the Phoenix Suns clinch first place in the NBA playoffs with a 140-130 win over the Denver Nuggets on Thursday.
Devin Booker led Phoenix with a season-high 49 points, and Paul added 17 points — 15 of which came following halftime — and 13 assists as the Suns posted seven wins.
The Suns, who won 11 of their 15 games without the star point guard, lead the NBA with a 60-14 record and are trying to reach their second NBA Finals following losing last year to Milwaukee.
The Nuggets had 28 points from Nikola Jokic, 23 from rookie Bones Hyland and 21 from Aaron Gordon. They made 59.3% of their shots from the field, but Phoenix was better with 60.5% of their shots.
Mikai Bridges added 22 points for the Suns, who trailed by nine points early but took the lead for good on Bridges’ basket that made it 115-114 midway through the fourth quarter.