PHOENIX — Kevin Durant delivered an impressive performance, scoring 31 points, as the Phoenix Suns secured a 114-102 victory over the Dallas Mavericks on Saturday evening.
The Suns maintained control throughout the match, not trailing since the first quarter despite the Mavericks keeping the score close for a significant portion of the game. Luka Doncic was a standout for Dallas, putting up 40 points and pulling down 10 rebounds, while Kyrie Irving contributed 22 points to the effort.
Heading into the final quarter, the Suns had a solid lead of 91-80, which they further extended to 105-90 just six minutes into the fourth. Devin Booker supported the team with 21 points, and rookie Ryan Dunn had a productive outing, scoring 13 points in his debut start. Tyus Jones facilitated the play with seven assists.
During the first half, Phoenix showcased their lead at its peak, reaching 13 points, although they headed into halftime with a narrower margin of 63-55.
Key takeaways from the game showed that Luka Doncic had a powerful start, netting 23 points in the first half before cooling off after the break. He finished the game shooting 12 for 25 from the floor and made five of his 13 attempts from beyond the arc. Klay Thompson was effective for the Mavericks as well, scoring 19 points with five three-pointers made.
The Suns demonstrated resilience following their loss to the Lakers, where they allowed a 22-point advantage to slip away. Guards Bradley Beal (who is sidelined with an elbow issue) and Grayson Allen (absent for personal reasons) were missed in the lineup. Dunn impressed in his initial career start, showcasing potential as a valuable asset after being selected with the 28th pick in the draft.
A pivotal moment in the game came when Dunn and Durant hit consecutive 3-pointers around the seven-minute mark left in the match, bringing the score to 102-90. Durant soon followed by completing a three-point play after making a layup while getting fouled, further extending the Suns’ lead to 105-90. This critical 9-0 scoring run transformed what had been a competitive game into a more comfortable victory for Phoenix.
One notable statistic highlighted Dallas’ shooting struggles, as they finished the game with just 39.8% accuracy from the field, and the contributions from their bench were limited to only nine points.
Looking ahead, the Suns are set to face the Lakers again in just four days, with the next matchup happening on Monday night. Meanwhile, the Mavericks will return home, preparing to host the Jazz on the same day.