Suns Fall Flat on Offense in Loss to Mavericks

The Suns failed to break 100 points for just the fourth time this season.

Dec 27, 2024; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant (35) handles the ball against Dallas Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving (11) during the third quarter at Footprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images / Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

PHOENIX -- The Phoenix Suns (15-15) will not be sweeping the Dallas Mavericks (20-11) in the season series between the two teams after a 98-89 loss loss on Friday night at Footprint Center

Tonight marked the third game that star guard Devin Booker has missed - while Dallas was without MVP candidate Luka Doncic and starting C Dereck Lively II.

Dallas jumped out to a quick 14-4 start to the game, but Phoenix stormed back to bring the game within 3 after one quarter. Dallas lead 28-25 to that point.

A 15-6 Dallas run - which was spearheaded by some head-scrathing play from Phoenix - took the two teams into the locker room. Dallas expanded the lead to 55-39 with the run.

The Suns continued to fight despite losing Jusuf Nurkic to ejection when a mini-brawl broke out with 9:02 remaining in the third quarter, but Dallas fought back with counter-runs of their own.

Phoenix ended up cutting the Dallas lead to 72-64 after 36 minutes of action.

The Suns cut the deficit to 81-75 roughly halfway into the final frame - but a Quentin Grimes three-point hit brought the lead back up to three possessions.

The Suns were unable to score for roughly three minutes after cutting the lead to 6 - and that is what ultimately did them in tonight.

Key Performances

Kevin Durant - 35 PTS, 3 REB, 11-19 FG

Bradley Beal - 11 PTS, 4 AST, 2 STL, 5-18 FG

Royce O'Neale - 14 PTS, 2 STL, 2 BLK, 5-9 3PT

Kyrie Irving - 20 PTS, 4 REB, 5 AST, 6-21 FG

Klay Thompson - 11 PTS, 6 REB, 5 AST, 4-9 FG

What's Next

The Suns will be playing the second half of a back-to-back tomorrow night against the Golden State Warriors in San Fransisco.