The Dallas Mavericks concluded the five-game homestand with a Friday night game against the visiting Phoenix Suns. The Mavericks have been showing off their brand of “beautiful basketball” to their opponents, and Friday night’s game against the Suns was no exception. The Suns entered the American Airlines Center with a 7-1 record, while the Mavericks were at 5-3.
Just hours before tip-off, Dallas announced that the Mavs Foundation and Kroger teamed up to host their annual Hoops for Troops Commitment to Service project at the Salvation Army of North Texas. Mavericks legend Devin Harris joined men and women from the 301st Fighter Wing Joint Reserve to pack meals for community members facing food insecurity and homelessness and penned holiday letters for active-duty military members.
The Mavericks lost to the Suns 114-113 at the American Airlines Center. Dallas fell to 5-4, while Phoenix improved to 8-1. Luka Doncic led the Mavericks with 30 points, seven rebounds, and seven assists. Kyrie Irving followed up with 29 points, seven rebounds, and six assists. Naji Marshall added 18 points and five rebounds. Daniel Gafford had 15 points and seven rebounds. Klay Thompson scored 12 points, four rebounds, and two assists.
Dallas Mavericks vs. Phoenix Suns Recap
The Dallas Mavericks vs. Phoenix Suns game was action-packed from start to finish. The Mavericks’ goal was to slow down Kevin Durant and the Suns. Durant’s super talents stifle just about any of the Suns’ opponents. PGA Tour golfer Scottie Scheffler was in attendance. Scheffler is a two-time Masters champion who reportedly resides in a modest $2.1 million mansion in Dallas, Texas.
Before the Mavericks vs. Suns game, Dallas ruled out Dereck Lively II, PJ Washington, Dante Exum, and Maxi Kleber. Meanwhile, Phoenix ruled out Jalen Bridges, Collin Gillespie, TyTy Washington Jr., and Ryan Dunn. Phoenix also confirmed the availability of Devin Booker and Bradley Beal. Booker and Beal were previously out due to an undisclosed illness and a right elbow sprain in that order.
Game Lived Up To Expectations
The Mavericks’ starting lineup consisted of Luka Doncic, Kyrie Irving, Naji Marshall, Klay Thompson, and Daniel Gafford. The first quarter started slow and gradually got faster. Irving made it rain with a notable three-pointer from downtown, but the Suns scored their fair share of three-pointers as well. The Mavericks trailed the Suns 36-26 at the end of the first.
The second quarter echoed the first quarter. Doncic threw a pass to Thompson, who completed the Mavericks’ play for a beautiful bucket. The Mavericks made it a 10-point game late in the quarter. The Mavericks’ defense appeared to diminish, while the Suns’ scoring stayed on pace. The Mavericks trailed the Suns 63-50 at the halftime break.
The third quarter saw the Mavericks and Suns in a back-and-forth affair. Doncic brought his magic to the court, which was much-needed, as the Mavericks’ offense arguably hasn’t been so great. Marshall netted a big bucket to help the Mavericks’ cause. The game ended with the Mavericks’ controversial foul resulting in a reset of 0.8 seconds Jusuf Nurkic’s board and slam give the Suns the lead and the 114-113 win over the Mavericks.
Mavericks vs. Suns Highlights
The Dallas Mavericks vs. Phoenix Suns game featured various highlights, such as Kyrie Irving’s corner three in the first quarter and Jusuf Nurkic’s shot from deep which was also scored in the first quarter. Irving made headlines before the Mavericks vs. Suns game after Kevin Durant said he always thought Irving was a master-level player. Meanwhile, Nurkic recently talked to the media about the importance of having the right to vote.
For the Mavericks, Luka Doncic hit a three-pointer early in the first quarter. Doncic’s three-pointer was his ninth three-pointer of the season, which was a nice distraction from the recent headlines surrounding Doncic’s German trash talk with the Orlando Magic’s German players, Franz and Moritz “Mo” Wagner, during Sunday night’s game.
And, for the Suns, Josh Okogie’s slam dunk in the second quarter was a highlight-reel moment. Okogie’s slam dunk was one of many plays by the Nigerian-American big man. Okogie has been impressing the Suns and their fans with rather unexpected minutes following Ryan Dunn’s injury of a left ankle sprain ahead of Friday night’s game.
Final Thoughts
On Wednesday, the Dallas Mavericks had a season-high 33 assists during their 119-99 blowout stampede of the Chicago Bulls at the American Airlines Center. Luka Doncic led the Mavericks’ assist parade with 13 assists. Doncic also had 27 points, seven rebounds, and a plus-35 rating in 32 minutes of play. Doncic, Kyrie Irving, and Klay Thompson combined for 57 points.
After the Mavericks vs. Bulls game, Bulls Head Coach Billy Donovan praised the Mavericks for acquiring Klay Thompson. Donovan was reportedly impressed with what Thompson gave the Mavericks from an offensive standpoint and also knew what intangibles Thompson gave the Golden State Warriors during his 13-year tenure in the Bay Area.
The Mavericks will embark on a three-game road trip starting with an away game against the Denver Nuggets at Ball Arena on Sunday at 7:00 p.m. Central. The Nuggets hosted the Miami Heat on Friday night before welcoming the Mavericks to Denver, Colorado. The Nuggets’ injury situation hasn’t been great, especially with Jamal Murray’s recent concussion.
