The Denver Nuggets defeated the Phoenix Suns, 108-107, in overtime at Pepsi Center on Friday night.

The two teams came into the contest fresh off impressive season-opening victories, but the Suns (1-1) were facing an uphill battle after promising second-year big man Deandre Ayton was surprisingly suspended for a violation of the NBA's Anti-Drug policy Thursday. Phoenix still came out strong and held a 45-39 halftime edge. However, the Nuggets (2-0) were resilient, erasing their deficit altogether in the third quarter and taking a two-point advantage into the fourth. After Ricky Rubio's two free throws with 1.8 seconds remaining eventually sent the game to overtime, Jamal Murray returned the favor by draining a pair of shots from the charity stripe in the closing seconds of the extra period and Torrey Craig blocked Devin Booker's three-point attempt with under a second left to seal the win.

Kelly Oubre, Jr. led the way for the Suns with 23 points, supplementing them with eight rebounds, two assists and two steals. Frank Kaminsky followed with a bench-leading 19 points and added 11 rebounds. Booker shot just 6-for-21 from the floor but managed 18 points, seven assists, five rebounds and one block. Aron Baynes drew the start for Ayton and collected 15 points, seven rebounds, three assists and one steal.

Murray's 27 points paced the Nuggets, and he added seven boards, three assists, one steal and one block. Nikola Jokic generated a 23-point, 14-rebound, 12-assist triple-double that also included two blocks and one steal. Malik Beasley led the bench with 17 points and also garnered four rebounds, one assist and one steal. Gary Harris and Jerami Grant posted matching 13-point tallies.

The Suns next take the court against the Clippers at home on Saturday night, while the Nuggets are off until Monday night, when they take on the Sacramento Kings in a road affair.