:format(webp)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/grupoclarin/X4YLZKTRXVFPJNDDIJPPNBWXIU.jpg "Durant scores 30 points and Suns achieve another victory in Denver")
DENVER (AP) — Kevin Durant had 30 points, 13 rebounds and five blocks as the Phoenix Suns earned their second win this month in Denver, beating the defending NBA champion Nuggets 104-97 on Wednesday.
The Suns, who have the most difficult schedule in the league remaining, moved half a game ahead of Sacramento in the fight for seventh place in the Western Conference. The top six avoid the need to play in the repechage mini-tournament.
Dallas is in sixth place, a half-game ahead of Phoenix.
The Western Conference-leading Nuggets struggled in a game without Jamal Murray. The star point guard was absent for the third consecutive time due to a sprained left ankle.
Nikola Jokic added 22 points, nine rebounds and 10 assists, despite dealing with lower back and hip pain.
Denver, a half-game ahead of Oklahoma City and Minnesota, fell for just the third time in 18 games since the All-Star break. Two of those setbacks have come at home against the Suns, who won on March 5 in overtime at Ball Arena.