Kevin Durant calls Nikola Jokić ‘Top-10 player’ in NBA history after Christmas game | News, results, highlights, stats and rumours

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DENVER, CO - OCTOBER 13: Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets greets Kevin Durant #35 of the Phoenix Suns after the game on October 13, 2024 at the Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado. NOTICE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that by downloading and/or using this photograph, User consents to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2024 NBAE (Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images)

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After the Phoenix Suns outlasted the Denver Nuggets 110-100 on Christmas Day, Suns star forward Kevin Durant made it clear how much he respects Nuggets star center Nikola Jokić.

During his postgame interview with ESPN, Durant called Jokić “arguably the best player in the world and a top-10 player of all time.”

Durant and guard Bradley Beal led the way with 27 points apiece to help Phoenix snap a three-game skid and improve to 15-14.

Jokić led Denver with 25 points and 15 rebounds in the loss. The three-time NBA MVP is averaging a career-high 30.7 points with 12.6 rebounds and 9.4 assists while shooting 56.7 percent from the field and a career-best 50.0 percent from beyond the arc.

Despite Jokić’s impressive stats, the Nuggets have struggled to find consistency this year after their 7-3 start to the season and now sit in fifth place in the Western Conference with a 16-12 record following their loss to the Suns.

Denver looks to bounce back on Friday when it hosts the Cleveland Cavaliers (26-4) on Friday.