Jamal Murray caught fire after halftime. He scored 39 points, 28 of them in the second half, as the Denver Nuggets beat the Phoenix Suns 127-120 in an NBA Cup group game Friday night in Phoenix.

Murray made 10 of 18 shots overall and 7 of 9 from 3-point range. Christian Braun added 31 points as Denver won back-to-back games for the first time this season.

Braun did his damage early. He scored 22 points in the first half on 8-of-10 shooting and made all six of his 3-point attempts. The Nuggets hit 13 of 20 from deep before the break and led 71-67.

Brooks sent off

The night turned ugly for Phoenix in the third quarter. Dillon Brooks put up a turnaround jumper with Murray guarding him, fell backward and kicked his right leg forward into Murray's groin. Murray stayed down in pain for a few moments before getting back up and staying in the game.

Officials first called an offensive foul. After a review they upgraded it to a flagrant 2, which comes with an automatic ejection. Brooks was leading the Suns with 22 points on 9-of-12 shooting at the time.

Murray did not think it was on purpose. The two are teammates on Canada's national team. "He might have flopped a little bit, but I don't think he's really trying to kick me," Murray said, adding that the two are buddies.

Denver pulls away

The Nuggets made 20 3-pointers and shot 52.6% from deep. They led 103-93 after three quarters and never let the Suns get within one possession down the stretch.

Nikola Jokic had 18 points and 10 assists as all five Denver starters scored in double figures. The Nuggets have now won six straight against Phoenix.

Miles Bridges led the Suns with 24 points. Devin Booker scored 20 on his 30th birthday. Collin Gillespie added 16 points and 10 assists off the bench.

Denver hosts Portland on Monday. Phoenix visits Golden State the same night.