NBA playoffs: Top moments from Nuggets-Suns Game 2

Updated Jun 9, 2021 10:11 pm ET

The NBA playoffs are heating up in the desert.

Game 2 of the Western Conference semifinals tipped off Wednesday night, with a suddenly spry Chris Paul looking to lead the Phoenix Suns to a 2-0 series lead over the Denver Nuggets.

That is exactly what he did, delivering 19 points and 15 assists to help the Suns run away and hide in a 123-98 win over Nikola Jokic and the Nuggets.

Now Jokic, who was just named the NBA's MVP for the 2020-21 season, will head home to Denver for Games 3 and 4, desperate to get his team on the board in this series.

Here are the top moments from Game 2:

At the end of the first quarter, the Suns held a 25-21 lead, but there were plenty of positives early for the Nuggets.

Jokic was up to his usual tricks, stuffing the stat sheet with eight points, five rebounds and four assists.

One of those assists came on this lob to Aaron Gordon.

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Denver also got a much-needed offensive boost in the back court from the return of Will Barton, who chipped in five early points.

But the Suns maintained control of the game thanks to the leadership of Paul, who recorded seven early assists.

It wasn't long before Devin Booker got in on the action and became a factor for the Suns offensively, pouring in 13 first-half points.

The impressive showing from the Suns' backcourt was the recipe for a 52-42 halftime lead.

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When play resumed in the third quarter, the rout was on for the Suns, who broke this game open with lockdown defense and efficient offense.

Starting center Deandre Ayton was in the middle of all of the action.

With 13 assists through three quarters, Chris Paul moved into 14th place on the all-time postseason assists list.

By the end of the game, Paul found himself in the history books, and the Suns cruised to another convincing victory in Game 2.

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