Shamet shines late as Suns even series

Devin Booker had 36 points and 12 assists, Kevin Durant also scored 36 points, and the Suns beat the Nuggets, 129-124, on Sunday to even their Western Conference semifinal playoff series at two games apiece.

Backup guard Landry Shamet made four crucial 3pointers in the fourth quarter to keep the Suns ahead. Denver lost despite a huge game from MVP runner-up Nikola Jokic, who poured in 53 points on 20of-30 shooting.

Jokic used his physical play to knock down several big buckets, even ripping the ball away from Suns owner Mat Ishbia at one point after the ball went out of bounds, which earned the Nuggets All-Star a technical foul.

The series returns to Denver for Game 5 on Tuesday.

The Suns took a 98-92 lead into the fourth quarter after a scoring flurry from Booker, who had 17 points in the third. Phoenix wouldn’t trail in the fourth, though Denver didn’t go quietly.

The Nuggets trailed, 116106, with 4:55 remaining but never panicked, slowly cutting into the lead. They pulled within 123-120 with 22.4 seconds left, but TJ Warren made two free throws to push the margin back to five.

Booker — averaging 36 points on 60 percent shooting in these playoffs — was hot once again, shooting 14 of 18 from the field, including 3 of 4 on 3pointers. Shamet finished with 19 points, shooting 5 of 8 on 3s.

Jamal Murray added 28 points and seven assists for the Nuggets.

Suns point guard Chris Paul missed his second straight game with a strained left groin suffered during Game 2.

Late in the second quarter, Suns guard Josh Okogie crashed into the seats while trying to save a loose ball. He landed in a group of fans on the baseline that included Ishbia, who grabbed the basketball.

Jokic was trying to get the basketball quickly — apparently so the Nuggets could start their offensive possession — when he tried to take the ball away from Ishbia. The ball flew backward into the crowd, and then Ishbia was knocked backward by Jokic’s elbow.

There were a few minutes of confusion as officials sorted out the weird scene, and then Jokic was assessed a technical foul.

Ishbia told The Associated Press at halftime that he was “fine” and more worried about the game than the altercation. He was back in his usual seats in the second half.

Ishbia has only been the Suns’ owner for a few months, purchasing the team from the embattled Robert Sarver.

Cavs owner loses son

Nicolas “Nick” Gilbert, the son of Cleveland Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert who became the team’s good luck charm at NBA draft lotteries, has died.

He was 26.

A funeral announcement posted by the Ira Kaufman Chapel said Gilbert died Saturday “peacefully at home surrounded by family.”

Gilbert was diagnosed as a child with neurofibromatosis (NF1), a genetic condition that causes non-cancerous tumors to grow on the brain, spinal cord, and skin. There is no cure. He was first diagnosed as a toddler.

Wearing a signature bow tie and dark-rimmed glasses, Gilbert became a sensation when he represented the team at the 2011 draft lottery.

One season after LeBron James left as a free agent, Cleveland wound up with the No. 1 overall pick and used it to select Kyrie Irving, who became an All-Star and later paired with James to win a championship in 2016.

Then a 14-year-old, Nick Gilbert quipped “What’s not to like?” after his father had praised his efforts and called him his hero.

Gilbert represented the Cavs at several more lotteries. Cleveland also had the No. 1 pick in 2013 and 2014. He often attended the team’s games at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse with his dad and mom, Jennifer.

The Cavaliers dedicated their 2022-23 season to the younger Gilbert. The team wore bowtie emblems on their warmups to honor him and raise awareness for the disease.

Hao inspired Harden

James Harden sank the overtime 3-pointer that sent the 76ers to a playoff victory and instantly waved over John Hao ,a paralyzed Michigan State shooting survivor who developed a long-distance FaceTime bond with Philadelphia’s star guard.

Harden had just scored 42 points, removed his sneakers, signed them and handed them to his new friend.

“He brought me good vibes, good energy,” Harden said.

Hao was all smiles as he looked on from the court, a needed respite from looming rehabilitation for the international student from China who attended Game 4 as Harden’s guest. Before the game, Harden leaned into Hao and got small pats on the back before resuming his pregame drills.

The 20-year-old Hao and his parents had been invited by Harden to attend a 76ers game once he was available to travel.

Hao recently left a Chicago rehabilitation facility where he’d been since a February shooting on the East Lansing campus that killed three students and injured five others.