Suns Seek Crucial Win Over Short-Handed Mavericks in Play-In Battle

The Dallas Mavericks are in free fall. Already without Kyrie Irving, who suffered a season-ending ACL tear, and Anthony Davis, who remains sidelined with an adductor strain, Dallas has lost four straight and is desperately trying to hold onto its 10th-place spot in the Western Conference.

The Phoenix Suns, sitting just behind them in 11th place, have a golden opportunity to gain ground when they host the depleted Mavericks on Sunday night. With both teams battling for a spot in the NBA Play-In Tournament, this matchup carries massive postseason implications.

Dallas’ Injury Crisis Deepens

Dallas’ season took a massive turn after the blockbuster trade that sent Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers in exchange for Anthony Davis. The move was meant to balance the Mavericks’ roster, but instead, injuries have left them shorthanded.

Davis has played just one game since the trade and has missed the past 10 games. While a recent re-evaluation confirmed that he is making progress, reports suggest that he may not return this season.

The Mavericks’ misfortune continued when rookie forward Olivier-Maxence Prosper was ruled out for the season with a right wrist injury, further depleting an already thin lineup.

Despite the setbacks, role players have stepped up, most notably in Friday’s 122-111 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies.

• Brandon Williams exploded for a career-high 31 points.
• Naji Marshall posted career-best numbers with 29 points and 17 rebounds.

Head coach Jason Kidd praised his team’s resilience.

“This group is tough,” Kidd said. “The character is extremely high. They understand the situation at a high level and they’re taking full advantage of the situation.”

With no clear No. 1 scoring option, Kidd is relying on a team-first approach.

“Everyone touches it and whoever is open shoots it,” he said. “We’re built on team … this isn’t to run plays for one person.”

Every Dunk, Every Three

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Suns Look to Bounce Back After Tough Loss to Nuggets

The Suns had an opportunity to make a statement on Friday against the Denver Nuggets, but despite an epic comeback, they fell 149-141 in overtime.

Devin Booker scored 34 points, while Kevin Durant added 29, including a buzzer-beating three-pointer to force overtime after Phoenix trailed by as many as 21.

Suns coach Mike Budenholzer took away positives from the loss, particularly the way his team fought back.

Booker and Durant continue to lead the Suns offensively.

• Durant ranks sixth in the NBA in scoring, averaging 26.9 points per game.
• Booker is ninth in scoring, averaging 26.0 points per game.

Durant has also had huge success against the Mavericks this season, averaging 30.7 points per game in three meetings, with the Suns holding a 2-1 lead in the season series.

What’s at Stake?

The Mavericks (10th place) and Suns (11th place) are fighting for the final Play-In spot in the Western Conference.

• A Phoenix win would close the gap and put pressure on Dallas.
• A Dallas win would give the Mavericks much-needed breathing room.

With just weeks left in the regular season, every game matters.

Keys to the Game

For Dallas:

• Find consistent scoring from role players like Brandon Williams, Naji Marshall, and Tim Hardaway Jr.
• Defend the three-point line, as Phoenix has elite perimeter scorers in Durant and Booker.
• Win the rebounding battle to limit second-chance points for the Suns.

For Phoenix:

• Push the pace and wear down a thin Dallas rotation.
• Continue relying on Durant and Booker, who have been dominant scorers.
• Force turnovers and convert them into fast-break points.

Final Prediction

The Suns have home-court advantage, a healthy lineup, and two elite scorers in Durant and Booker. The Mavericks, meanwhile, are missing too many key players and will need another near-perfect effort from their bench to stay competitive.

While Dallas has shown heart, Phoenix has too much firepower and motivation in this Play-In race.

Prediction: Suns 118, Mavericks 104.