Jokic falls assist short of triple-double in his 3 quarters in Nuggets' 122-105 victory over Suns

PHOENIX (AP) — Nikola Jokic had 28 points, 11 rebounds and nine assists to just miss a triple-double before sitting out the fourth quarter and the Denver Nuggets won their season-best sixth straight game, beating the Phoenix Suns 122-105 on Saturday night.

Jokic made 11 of 13 shots in 28 minutes. Jamal Murray had 30 points for the Nuggets, who played without starters Russell Westbrook and Michael Porter Jr., both sidelined with left hamstring injuries.

Devin Booker scored 24 points to lead Phoenix, who didn’t have injured starters Kevin Durant (sprained left ankle) or Bradley Beal (injured left big toe) for the second night in a row. Also out was Grayson Allen, who sat with an injured left knee. He made two 3-pointers in the final 4 seconds Friday night to force overtime in an eventual victory over Utah.

Bol Bol had a season-high 19 points, and Tyus Jones added 15 points and 10 assists for the Suns. They have lost four of five.

Nuggets: Guard Julian Strawther helped pick up for Westbrook’s absence, finishing with 18 points and six assists in 39 minutes. Christian Braun also had 18 points.

Suns: Fan favorite Bol, playing 33 minutes in the absence of three missing regulars, had two offensive-rebound baskets in the first quarter, then completed a behind-the-back pass to Damion Lee for a 3-pointer that brought the sellout crowd to its feet.

Murray made 3-pointers on his first three shots, guiding the Nuggets to a 10-2 lead. The Suns led briefly in the first quarter but that was it. Denver led by 23.

Booker, one night after playing 49 of a possible 53 minutes, played 34 minutes and finished 8 of 19 from the field.

Nuggets host Portland on Monday night, and the Suns host Memphis on Tuesday night.

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Denver Nuggets guard Christian Braun, right, shields the ball from Phoenix Suns center Nick Richards (2) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Saturday, Feb. 8, 2025, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Denver Nuggets forward Aaron Gordon (32) draws a blocking foul on Phoenix Suns guard Damion Lee (10) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Saturday, Feb. 8, 2025, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker, top, leaps over Denver Nuggets guard Julian Strawther (3) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Saturday, Feb. 8, 2025, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Denver Nuggets center DeAndre Jordan (6) scores over Phoenix Suns center Nick Richards (2) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Saturday, Feb. 8, 2025, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) fouls Denver Nuggets guard Christian Braun, left, during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Saturday, Feb. 8, 2025, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) drives against Phoenix Suns center Nick Richards (2) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Saturday, Feb. 8, 2025, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

ISLAMABAD (AP) — A gas cylinder explosion early Sunday after a wedding reception at a home in Pakistan’s capital killed at least eight people, including the bride and groom, police and officials said.

The blast occurred as guests who had gathered to celebrate the couple were sleeping at the house, causing part of the house to collapse, according to the Islamabad police. Seven people were injured.

In a statement, police said the explosion occurred in a residential area in the heart of the city. A government administrator, Sahibzada Yousaf, said authorities were alerted about the blast early Sunday and officers are still investigating. He said some nearby homes were also damaged.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed grief over the loss of lives and offered condolences to the victims’ families, according to a statement from his office. He directed health authorities to ensure the injured receive the best possible treatment and ordered a full investigation.

Many Pakistani households rely on liquefied petroleum gas cylinders because of low natural gas pressure, and such cylinders have been linked to deadly accidents caused by gas leaks. Police said investigations were ongoing.

Government officials survey the damage of a home caused by a gas cylinder explosion hours after a wedding reception, in Islamabad, Pakistan, Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Ehsan Shahzad)