In a thrilling match on Sunday, the Phoenix Suns emerged victorious against the injury-plagued Dallas Mavericks with a final score of 125-116. Devin Booker showcased his skills with 24 points, while Kevin Durant contributed 21 points, nine rebounds, and eight assists. Bradley Beal and Grayson Allen also made significant scoring contributions with 19 and 17 points, respectively.
Naji Marshall stood out for the Mavericks, scoring a career-high 34 points in a valiant effort. However, the Mavericks faced challenges as injuries depleted their roster, leaving them with only seven healthy players by the end of the game. Despite their efforts, the Suns managed to close the gap to just 1 1/2 games behind Dallas for the 10th seed in the Western Conference, securing a spot in the play-in tournament.
Key highlights of the game included Mason Plumlee’s dominant performance for the Suns, particularly with three consecutive dunks in the first half and back-to-back alley-oop slams in the second half, contributing 13 points to the team’s victory. With this win, the Suns addressed the Mavericks’ struggles with rim protection, shooting an impressive 58% from the field.
The pivotal moment of the game came when Booker sank a crucial jumper, sparking a decisive 19-2 run for the Suns that shifted the momentum in their favor. This momentum shift allowed Phoenix to overcome an early deficit and secure a lead that they maintained till the end of the game.
The match marked the fifth consecutive loss for the Mavericks, pushing them below a .500 record for the first time since mid-November. Looking ahead, both teams gear up for back-to-back games, with the Suns set to face Memphis, while the Mavericks begin a series of games in San Antonio on Monday.
