The Dallas Mavericks secured a hard-fought victory against the Phoenix Suns, winning 98-89, despite the absence of their star player Luka Doncic, who is sidelined for approximately a month due to a calf injury. Kyrie Irving led the Mavericks with 20 points, while Daniel Gafford contributed 16 points. The Mavericks displayed a strong defensive performance, never trailing throughout the game and building a lead as large as 18 points.
In a game marked by physicality, the Mavericks faced further challenges when forwards Naji Marshall and P.J. Washington were ejected alongside Phoenix's Jusuf Nurkic after a brief altercation in the third quarter. Despite this, the Mavericks maintained control, with Spencer Dinwiddie and Maxi Kleber each adding 15 points to the scoreboard. Irving's shooting was a mixed bag, making only 6 of 21 shots overall, but he found success from beyond the arc, hitting 5 of 10 attempts.
The Suns struggled offensively, shooting just 33.3% in the first half, with Kevin Durant being the standout performer, scoring 35 points. The loss marked the Suns' fourth defeat in five games, further compounded by the absence of All-Star Devin Booker. The Mavericks' victory showcased their ability to adapt and succeed even without their primary star, while the Suns continue to grapple with inconsistency after an early strong start to the season.
