Kyrie Irving led the Dallas Mavericks to a hard-fought 98-89 victory over the Phoenix Suns on Friday night, scoring 20 points to secure the team’s first win since Luka Doncic went down with a calf injury earlier this week. Daniel Gafford added 16 points, while Spencer Dinwiddie and Maxi Kleber contributed 15 points each to help Dallas hold off a Suns squad powered by Kevin Durant’s 35-point performance.
The Mavericks set the tone early, racing to a commanding 55-39 halftime lead. Irving scored 15 of his points in the first half, and the Mavericks’ defense limited the Suns to a dismal 33.3% shooting. Despite being shorthanded without Doncic, who is expected to miss a month, Dallas controlled the game from the outset. Their resolve was tested in the third quarter when a scuffle resulted in the ejections of Dallas forwards Naji Marshall and P.J. Washington, along with Phoenix center Jusuf Nurkic.
Phoenix made a push in the fourth quarter, trimming the Mavericks’ lead to 81-75 midway through the period. However, Quentin Grimes drained a clutch 3-pointer to restore Dallas’ advantage and stifle the Suns’ momentum. From there, the Mavericks maintained control and sealed the win with balanced contributions on both ends of the court.
For the Suns, the loss marked their fourth defeat in five games, exposing continued struggles without All-Star Devin Booker. Two days after an inspiring Christmas Day win over Denver, Phoenix faltered again, unable to sustain consistent play. Their 7-14 record since an 8-1 start underscores the challenges they face in regaining their early-season form.
Irving’s performance was not without its struggles, as he made just six of 21 shots overall but found his rhythm from deep, connecting on five of 10 3-point attempts. The Mavericks showcased their depth and resilience, proving that success is possible even in the absence of their superstar, and we grade their performances tonight.
Kyrie Irving: B
Stats: 20 PTS, 4 REB, 5 AST, 1 STL, 0 BLK, 5 TO, 4 PF, 6-21 FG, 5-10 3PT, 3-3 FT, +12, 40 MIN
Kyrie Irving’s leadership was pivotal in securing the Mavericks’ victory despite his shooting struggles. He started strong, scoring 15 points in the first half, and found his rhythm from beyond the arc, connecting on five of 10 attempts. Irving also contributed with four rebounds and five assists, but his six-of-21 shooting and five turnovers marred an otherwise solid performance. His ability to hit timely shots and maintain composure helped Dallas withstand Phoenix’s late surge.
Maxi Kleber: B
Stats: 15 PTS, 7 REB, 2 AST, 1 STL, 0 BLK, 0 TO, 0 PF, 5-7 FG, 1-2 3PT, 4-4 FT, +4, 26 MIN
Maxi Kleber delivered a dependable performance, scoring 15 points on efficient 5-of-7 shooting while pulling down seven rebounds. His ability to stretch the floor with a three-pointer and sink all four of his free throws highlighted his versatility. Kleber’s defensive presence and hustle plays were vital in maintaining the Mavericks’ lead, particularly during tense moments late in the game.
Daniel Gafford: B
Stats: 16 PTS, 5 REB, 1 AST, 0 STL, 2 BLK, 1 TO, 4 PF, 7-11 FG, 0-0 3PT, 2-2 FT, +8, 29 MIN
Daniel Gafford’s energy and efficiency stood out, as he scored 16 points on 7-of-11 shooting while adding five rebounds. His two blocks were critical in deterring Phoenix’s drives to the basket. Though he fouled four times, Gafford’s physicality and activity in the paint provided much-needed stability, especially in Luka Doncic’s absence.
Spencer Dinwiddie: B-
Stats: 15 PTS, 3 REB, 3 AST, 2 STL, 1 BLK, 1 TO, 0 PF, 5-12 FG, 1-5 3PT, 4-4 FT, +4, 23 MIN
Spencer Dinwiddie had a mixed outing, contributing 15 points, three rebounds, and three assists. While his shooting was inconsistent at 5-of-12 from the field, Dinwiddie played a crucial role in keeping the offense flowing. His two steals and a block showcased his defensive effort, though he could have been more impactful offensively to alleviate pressure on Irving.
Klay Thompson: C+
Stats: 11 PTS, 6 REB, 5 AST, 1 STL, 1 BLK, 1 TO, 1 PF, 4-9 FG, 1-6 3PT, 2-2 FT, +17, 32 MIN
Klay Thompson chipped in 11 points and six rebounds but struggled to find his usual shooting rhythm, going 1-of-6 from three-point range. Despite his offensive woes, Thompson made valuable contributions with five assists and a strong defensive presence, evidenced by a steal and a block. His veteran poise helped stabilize the team during key stretches.
Quentin Grimes: C+
Stats: 8 PTS, 5 REB, 1 AST, 0 STL, 0 BLK, 2 TO, 0 PF, 3-9 FG, 2-5 3PT, 0-0 FT, -10, 29 MIN
Quentin Grimes provided a much-needed spark with a timely clutch three-pointer in the fourth quarter. However, his overall shooting was subpar at 3-of-9, and he committed two turnovers. Grimes contributed five rebounds, but his impact was inconsistent, leaving room for improvement in decision-making and efficiency.
P.J. Washington: C
Stats: 7 PTS, 3 REB, 2 AST, 0 STL, 0 BLK, 4 TO, 3 PF, 2-5 FG, 2-4 3PT, 1-2 FT, +10, 20 MIN
P.J. Washington was steady but unspectacular, scoring seven points with three rebounds and two assists. He made two of his four three-point attempts, showing flashes of offensive capability. However, his four turnovers and three personal fouls detracted from his overall impact, especially during a game where ball security was critical.
Naji Marshall: C
Stats: 4 PTS, 3 REB, 2 AST, 0 STL, 0 BLK, 1 TO, 1 PF, 2-3 FG, 0-0 3PT, 0-0 FT, +10, 19 MIN
Naji Marshall’s night ended prematurely due to an ejection, but he managed to score four points and grab three rebounds in his limited minutes. He showed promise with efficient shooting at 2-of-3 and added two assists. Marshall’s aggression was a double-edged sword, as it ultimately led to his absence during key moments in the second half.
Dwight Powell: C
Stats: 0 PTS, 4 REB, 3 AST, 0 STL, 1 BLK, 0 TO, 2 PF, 0-0 FG, 0-0 3PT, 0-0 FT, -3, 15 MIN
Dwight Powell’s impact was limited offensively, as he did not attempt a single shot in his 15 minutes on the court. However, he contributed with four rebounds, three assists, and a block, providing a steady presence in the paint. While his effort was commendable, Powell’s lack of offensive involvement diminished his overall effectiveness.
Olivier-Maxence Prosper: N/A
Stats: 2 PTS, 1 REB, 0 AST, 1 STL, 0 BLK, 0 TO, 0 PF, 1-2 FG, 0-1 3PT, 0-0 FT, -1, 6 MIN
In six minutes of action, Olivier-Maxence Prosper managed to score two points and grab a rebound. Though his opportunities were limited, Prosper made his mark with a steal and solid effort on both ends of the floor, demonstrating potential in his brief stint.
Kessler Edwards: N/A
Stats: 0 PTS, 0 REB, 0 AST, 0 STL, 0 BLK, 0 TO, 0 PF, 0-0 FG, 0-0 3PT, 0-0 FT, -2, 1 MIN
Kessler Edwards played just one minute and did not record any significant stats. His impact on the game was negligible due to his limited playing time.
Jazian Gortman: N/A
Stats: 0 PTS, 0 REB, 0 AST, 0 STL, 0 BLK, 0 TO, 0 PF, 0-0 FG, 0-0 3PT, 0-0 FT, -2, 1 MIN
Jazian Gortman also saw just one minute of action and did not contribute statistically. Like Edwards, his playing time was too brief to evaluate his performance.
Jaden Hardy: N/A
Stats: 0 PTS, 0 REB, 0 AST, 0 STL, 0 BLK, 0 TO, 0 PF, 0-1 FG, 0-1 3PT, 0-0 FT, -2, 1 MIN
Jaden Hardy missed his lone field-goal attempt in one minute on the court. His limited playing time rendered him unable to influence the game meaningfully.
