Devin Booker’s outstanding performance, scoring 46 points with 22 in the third quarter alone, propelled the Phoenix Suns to a 132-109 victory over Luka Doncic’s Dallas Mavericks during Wednesday’s NBA slate. This win extended the Suns’ winning streak to seven games, matching their season’s best.
The game was marked by intense competition, reminiscent of the emotional seven-game playoff series between these teams nearly two years ago. Despite new players on both sides, the rivalry remained heated, evidenced by seven technical fouls, six of which were issued to players who were not part of the previous playoff series.
Booker noted that the rivalry, fueled by media attention, enhances the game’s excitement and viewership, but clarified he holds no personal grudges against anyone from Dallas.
“I just think when teams have a recent playoff series against each other, that just heightens the atmosphere and heightens everything,” Booker said. “The media does a good job of continuing it because they know it gets traction, which is good for the game, it’s good for viewership. I have no personal problem with anybody from Dallas, no fans or anything.”
Kevin Durant, who is relatively new to the Suns-Mavericks rivalry, contributed 12 points and 10 rebounds. The Suns’ impressive performance included turning a 16-point deficit into a 22-point lead, particularly highlighted by their 43-20 run in the third quarter.
NBA NEWS & SCORES: Devin Booker, Kevin Durant, Phoenix Suns, Luka Doncic, Dallas Mavericks Updates
The Mavericks, missing Kyrie Irving due to a sprained thumb, struggled to find their rhythm. Doncic scored 34 points, but lacked adequate support from his teammates, unlike the Suns who saw Bradley Beal and Grayson Allen scoring 20 and 15 points, respectively.
“I think we played very physical the first 17-18 minutes,” Doncic said. “But then our physicality went down, and that’s when we struggled. We’ve got to be physical the whole game.”
NBA NEWS & SCORES: Devin Booker, Kevin Durant, Phoenix Suns, Luka Doncic, Dallas Mavericks Updates
The game’s physicality was evident from the outset, with the first triple-technical occurring early on. This set the tone for the rest of the match, which saw further confrontations and technical fouls, including an ejection following a second technical for overtly yelling and using profanity.
“Maybe ask him, honestly. I’m new to the whole Dallas rivalry thing,” Beal said, pointing at Booker as the star guard joined the postgame meeting with reporters. “That’s a playoff-type atmosphere, playoff-type teams. They’re just competing at a high level, and it’s going to get chippy. We did a good job of not letting it get us rattled.”
NBA NEWS & SCORES: Devin Booker, Kevin Durant, Phoenix Suns, Luka Doncic, Dallas Mavericks Updates
The Suns’ remarkable comeback began in the second half, initiated by Booker’s free throw tying the game at 58. The intensity of the game continued to escalate, with Doncic also playing a part in having a fan ejected for making derogatory comments towards him.
“I think it’s a trend here. Unfortunate,” Mavericks coach Jason Kidd said of his players getting caught up in the officiating. “The referees are the referees. They’re going to make calls, good or bad, just the nature of the league. But we can’t get calls every time down.”
Despite the heated nature of the game, both teams are looking ahead to their next matchups, with the Suns facing the Indiana Pacers and the Mavericks playing against the Atlanta Hawks on Friday.
