(AP) PHOENIX — Nikola Jokic seems pleased to spend the majority of his Friday night facilitating, setting up buckets with passes left and right as the Denver Nuggets built a large lead in the first half.

That lead was practically evaporated by the end of the fourth quarter. That’s when the two-time MVP resumed scoring.

Jokic had 21 points and 16 assists, including a tough layup in traffic with 24.1 seconds remaining, as the Nuggets defeated the Phoenix Suns 119-111.

“That’s just another night of incredible, unselfish basketball,” Nuggets coach Michael Malone said. “Everyone playing for the man next to them, making the right play.”

On a night when Kevin Durant moved into 10th place on the NBA’s career scoring record, the Suns trimmed Denver’s advantage to 94-91 entering the fourth quarter.

Phoenix tied it three times in the fourth quarter and the game was within one possession for much of the period, but Jokic and Michael Porter Jr. were among several players who made critical shots to keep the Nuggets ahead.

Denver has won four games in a row. All five starters scored at least 15 points, including Jokic, Jackson, Porter, Justin Holiday, and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope. Jackson finished with 20 points. The Nuggets finished with 38 assists and only nine turnovers.

“That’s our playing style,” Jokic explained. “It’s much easier for us to have a good game when we make shots like that.” I believe we generate open looks; it’s only an issue of whether we’ll make it or not.”

Jusuf Nurkic scored a season-high 31 points for the Suns, who were missing Devin Booker, but fouled out after being called for a charge with 45 seconds remaining, which was upgraded to a Flagrant 1, allowing Jokic to make two free throws. He sank one of two free throws to give Denver a 115-111 lead.

Jokic then put the game away with a difficult layup that he finished over three Suns defenders.

“They’re a good team,” stated Nurkic. “Give them credit, they got the win.”

Durant scored 30 points but shot only 8 of 25 from the floor, including 0 for 10 in the second half. Nurkic completed 13 of 22 shots.

Durant passed Moses Malone for 10th place on the scoring record late in the second quarter, driving the baseline for a basket. Durant ended the game with a total of 27,423 points in his career. Malone finished his NBA career with 27, 409 points after spending two seasons in the ABA.

Denver led 31-30 entering the second quarter after shooting 79.2% (19 of 24) from the field. The Nuggets had a 70-63 lead into halftime.

“We didn’t play with nearly enough toughness and attention to detail in the first half,” Vogel told ESPN. “It was one of our worst defensive halves in a long time.” But you have to give credit to the Nuggets and Nikola Jokic – he’s one of the best in the world because of them. He can take any four teammates and create fantastic looks for them. He’s truly unique.”

Both teams were missing critical components. Booker (ankle) and Bradley Beal (back) were out for the Suns, while Jamal Murray (ankle) and Aaron Gordon (heel) were out for the Nuggets.