The Phoenix Suns had to bet on their calmness in the clutch and a little luck tonight to defeat Luka Doncic, Kyrie Irving, and the Dallas Mavericks. The Suns took an early 10-point lead in the first quarter but the two teams were going back and forth all night long with great shooting from various stars.
Kevin Durant once again led the way with 26 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 assists on 57.1% shooting. He was +11 in 36:58 minutes and 7-7 from the free-throw line, including the final two shots that sealed the game. Durant had the ball with six seconds on the clock with the Suns down 1 point before his playmaking out of a double-team led to a last-second foul on Jusuf Nurkic.
Nurkic (15 points, 10 rebounds) drained both free throws and the Suns escaped with a very narrow victory, taking their winning streak to seven games. Luka Doncic (30 points, 7 rebounds, 7 assists) and Kyrie Irving (29 points, 6 assists) certainly did their things offensively tonight, but in a back-and-forth game, they would have expected more from their teammates including Klay Thompson who only went 1-7 from three.
This could be an example of what to expect in the Western Conference playoffs this season and we place some weight on the result tonight. Here are our major takeaways from the Suns winning their 7th game in a row as they hold the top seed in the Western Conference (8-1).
Kevin Durant Is In MVP Form
Kevin Durant continued his impressive season, leading the Suns to a hard-fought victory over Dallas with 26 points on efficient shooting (57.1%). His leadership in clutch moments solidified the win, especially when his playmaking led to two crucial free throws in the final moment of the game.
Durant’s poise was apparent not just in scoring but in his decision-making, as he created a critical opportunity for Jusuf Nurkic with a heads-up play out of a double-team. His ability to elevate his game in pivotal moments is a clear indicator that Durant is in MVP form this season. Over the last eight games, Durant has been pivotal in securing the Suns’ streak, posting 27.8 points on 42.0% from three and a scintillating 55.0% from the field.
This level of performance has been invaluable for Phoenix, who rely on Durant’s versatility and composure to set the tone for the team. As the Suns sit atop the Western Conference, Durant’s MVP-caliber play has them looking like true contenders and the Mavericks were a witness to that.
Dallas Mavericks Showed Chemistry Issues
The Mavericks’ talent on paper didn’t fully translate into on-court chemistry tonight. Although Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving were both strong offensively, combining for 59 points, their supporting cast struggled to find a rhythm.
Klay Thompson’s shooting woes (1-7 from three) highlighted a broader issue in the Mavericks’ offense, as players looked out of sync and often hesitated to take open looks. This lack of cohesion allowed the Suns to pull ahead in critical moments, exposing potential weaknesses in Dallas’ game plan when the pressure was on.
The Mavericks were fortunate to get 18 points on 7-12 shooting from Naji Marshall and Daniel Gafford chipped in 15 points but it wasn’t enough. The Suns have three legitimate All-Star scorers Kevin Durant, Devin Booker (13 points, 12 assists), and Bradley Beal (15 points), and the Mavericks need to stock up on high-scoring performances in games against elite talent.
Tonight, the Mavericks needed a hot shooting performance from Klay Thompson to get over the top but his inconsistencies are mainly down to the fact that the team is still figuring out the best game plan on both ends of the court. Thompson might not be in his prime anymore but he still can hit a few open three-pointers that the Mavericks really need, especially in a big game against the Suns.
Calmness In The Clutch Was An Advantage Tonight
Phoenix’s ability to remain composed under pressure was the deciding factor in this close matchup. Despite losing their lead and facing a one-point deficit with seconds remaining, the Suns kept their cool and executed their plays with precision.
Durant’s composed playmaking at the end of the game and the steady hand of Jusuf Nurkic in the clutch were a testament to Phoenix’s maturity as a team. This level-headedness, particularly in pressure-filled moments, is often the difference in tight games, and it was clear that Phoenix trusted its game plan and star players.
The Suns’ composure allowed them to capitalize on the Mavericks’ mistakes and avoid costly errors themselves. The Mavericks fought hard to come back in a hotly contested matchup, but the Suns got the job done in the end because they had Kevin Durant in MVP form attracting a ton of defensive attention.
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