Suns clinch top playoff seed

Chris Paul was eager to return to his teammates, even if it meant playing his first game in five weeks at altitude.

Paul returned from a fractured right thumb that sidelined him since the All-Star Game break to help the Phoenix Suns win their seventh straight game and clinch the top seed in the NBA playoffs with a 140-130 victory over the Denver Nuggets on Thursday night.

“I’ve been playing makeshift, 3-on-3, 2-on-2, but 5-on-5 is totally different, especially when your first game back is in Denver,” said Paul, who posted 17 points and 13 rebounds.

“We have a special team, it’s that simple,” Paul said. “There’s nothing like being a part of this team. I’m just happy to be able to come back.”

The Suns, who won 11 of 15 games while their All-Star point guard was out, lead the NBA with a 60-14 record and are trying to reach the NBA Finals for the second straight season after losing to Milwaukee. dollars last year.

“I don’t think a single person in our locker room wasn’t thinking about 60 wins and what it meant,” Suns coach Monty Williams said after leaving the locker room. “I think getting Chris back tonight gave us a lot of confidence.”