Suns complete sweep of Nuggets


Chris Paul of the Phoenix Suns is congratulated after a fourth-quarter free throw against the Denver Nuggets in Game Four of the Western Conference second-round playoff series at Ball Arena on June 13, 2021 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP)

Chris Paul and Devin Booker combined for 71 points as the Phoenix Suns completed a four-game sweep of the Denver Nuggets on Sunday to reach the NBA semi-finals for the first time in 11 years.

Paul scored 37 points and Booker finished with 34 points and 11 rebounds as the Suns beat the Nuggets 125-118 to capture the Western Conference second round series 4-0.

"I have been waiting for this for a very long time," said Booker. "A lot people say I haven't played meaningful basketball. This is my time to prove it."

The Suns used a balanced attack to overpower the Nuggets and league MVP Nikola Jokic, who was slapped with a flagrant foul and ejected from the game in the third quarter. Jokic finished with 22 points and 11 rebounds.

"They beat us. They whipped our butts," said Jokic. "We have to hold our heads up. If someone beats you, accept it and try to get better.

"The whole season was great until (the) last four games."

The Suns will play either the Los Angeles Clippers or the Utah Jazz for a spot in the NBA finals.

"We showed what you can do when you come together as a team," said Paul.

Mikal Bridges scored 14 points, Deandre Ayton had 12 points and Jae Crowder had 10 rebounds for the Suns.

Will Barton had 25 points, Michael Porter scored 20, Monte Morris finished with 19 and Facu Campazzo 14 in the loss.