Life in the NBA can be tough when your top players are out.
The Denver Nuggets are finding this out the yard way.
The short-handed Nuggets fell behind early and big in a 126-97 loss to the Phoenix Suns Sunday at the Footprint Center in Phoenix.
The Suns raced out to a 48-28 lead after one quarter and forced the Nuggets to play catch-up. Phoenix was 17-22 from the field in the decisive first quarter and made 7-8 from three-point range.
The Nuggets were without their three stars (Nikola Jokic, Michael Porter Jr. and Jamal Murray) and several other players were out or not at 100%.
Jeff Green led Denver with 19 points. Aaron Gordon added 16 points and 10 rebounds.
The Nuggets have lost four straight games and play at Portland on Tuesday, November 23. Tip is at 8 p.m. MST.
Postgame comments from Nuggets head coach Michael Malone.
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Postgame comments from Nuggets forward Jeff Green.