Malik Beasley’s brain cramp against Phoenix was exactly the type of play he and Kobe Bryant had worked to eliminate.

Beasley had earned one of the coveted invites to Bryant’s Mamba Sports Academy camp in late August. It was the same camp that Jamal Murray, Beasley’s close friend and teammate, called the “highlight” of his summer. There, Beasley soaked up Mamba’s message about mental acuity.

“It takes a lot of preparation, a lot of mental aspect of the game,” Beasley told The Denver Post. “I learned a lot over that camp. It was a good experience because I learned how to prepare for games, how to take care of opponents.”

Beasley got Bryant’s phone number after the camp. “We’re going to be working a lot this season,” he said.

To Beasley’s credit, he owned his crucial fourth-quarter foul on Suns point guard Ricky Rubio Friday night. With 1.8 seconds remaining and the Nuggets up by 3, Beasley fouled Rubio on a halfcourt shot. It sent Rubio to the line for three free throws, which he made, to force overtime. Denver won in the extra period.

“Just an immature play by me,” Beasley said. “I gotta learn time and score. I heard something else from the coaches but just gotta be accountable for that.”

What was more telling than even Beasley’s honesty was that he was on the court in the first place.

Coach Michael Malone rode his backup shooting guard throughout the entire fourth quarter and overtime session, rationalizing that his streaky scoring was more beneficial than a defensive upgrade. Aside from the glaring mistake, Beasley rewarded his coach’s decision with 11 points in the fourth quarter and an excellent defensive switch on the game’s deciding play. It was Beasley who took over Gary Harris’ defensive assignment as Suns guard Devin Booker eyed a game-winning field goal. Beasley stuck with Booker, who was eventually denied at the rim by Torrey Craig’s game-saving swat.

In just the second game of the season, Malone went with reserves Beasley and Jerami Grant in crunch time instead of starters Paul Millsap and Will Barton. It was a massive vote of confidence for Beasley, who has a lot riding on this season.

Despite a “very aggressive” attempt by the Nuggets, according to a league source, to reach a deal with Beasley ahead of the Oct. 21 deadline, the fourth-year shooting guard will play this season without his next contract in hand. What he might command in restricted free agency and whether the Nuggets would be willing to match any offers, is up to him.

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“I put in a lot of work, I’m confident,” Beasley said. “I don’t see it as (a gamble), I just see it as I’m out there to play and do my job and do that every night and take it the same way.

“It was great talks from both parties and just couldn’t figure something out,” Beasley said in his first public comments about the negotiations. “It doesn’t hurt my relationship with them, it doesn’t hurt anything on the court.”

Through two games, Beasley thus far looks like the lethal outside shooter that made him so valuable last season. His balanced jump shot counters his athleticism, and late in the fourth quarter against Phoenix, Beasley made a move on Suns wing Kelly Oubre Jr. that demonstrated one other budding attribute: patience. Beasley took three dribbles, pump-faked and baited Oubre into a jump before finishing a smooth up-and-under. The new wrinkle may have been one small layer to what he has in store for this season.

“I feel like I have no pressure at all,” Beasley said. “I’ve had pressure my whole life, so this is nothing. This is basketball, so it’s going to be fun. I put in a lot of work, so it’s going to be easy.”

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