Nikola Jokic drops 39 points as Nuggets take Game 2 over Suns

Fox News Flash top sports headlines are here. Check out what's clicking on Foxnews.com.

Nikola Jokic had 39 points and 16 rebounds to rally the Denver Nuggets to a 97-87 win over Phoenix on Monday night, taking a 2-0 lead over the Suns in the Western Conference semifinals.

Jokic, who learns Tuesday if he's edged Joel Embiid and Giannis Antetokounmpo for his third consecutive NBA MVP award, recently renamed for Michael Jordan, scored 26 in the second half as the Nuggets erased a seven-point third-quarter deficit.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray, right, heads to the basket past Phoenix Suns forward Josh Okogie, left, in the first half of Game 2 of an NBA second-round playoff series Monday, May 1, 2023, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowsk)

Jokic's big night was necessary as Jamal Murray scored just 10 points on 3-of-15 shooting after he scored 34 in the series opener when he had six 3-pointers. Murray was 0 for 9 from long range Monday night.

Aaron Gordon added 16 points and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope added 14 points and went 4 for 4 from beyond the arc, including back-to-back swishes that erased a 73-70 deficit and put the Nuggets ahead for good early in the fourth quarter.

Devin Booker led Phoenix with 35 points and Kevin Durant added 24.

The teams get an extended break before the series resumes with Game 3 in Phoenix on Friday night.

JAMES HARDEN BURIES GO-AHEAD THREE IN FACE OF AL HORFORD TO LIFT 76ERS OVER CELTICS IN GAME 1 SHOCKER

Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic picks up the ball in the first half of Game 2 of an NBA second-round playoff series against the Phoenix Suns, Monday, May 1, 2023, in Denver.  (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

The Suns, who lost Chris