Kevin Durant showcased his legendary skill yet again, scoring 31 points with nine rebounds to lead the Phoenix Suns to a 114-102 victory over the Dallas Mavericks. This performance also saw Durant reach a major career milestone, becoming only the eighth player in NBA history to surpass 29,000 career points, ending the game with a total of 29,010.
Supporting Cast Steps Up
Backing Durant’s effort, Devin Booker and Jusuf Nurkic contributed 21 and 18 points respectively, with Nurkic also securing 14 rebounds. Rookie Ryan Dunn added depth with 13 points. The Suns were short-handed without Bradley Beal (elbow injury) and Grayson Allen (family commitment), yet managed an effective 45% field goal percentage and sank 14 of 39 three-point attempts.
Doncic’s Impressive Night Falls Short
For Dallas, Luka Doncic led the charge with an impressive 40 points and 10 rebounds, while Kyrie Irving and Klay Thompson added 22 and 19 points. Despite these contributions, Dallas struggled with efficiency, shooting only 39.8% from the field and connecting on just 13 of 41 three-pointers.
Third-Quarter Run Shifts Momentum
The Suns held a 63-55 lead at halftime despite Doncic’s strong first-half performance with 23 points. Dallas closed the gap early in the third quarter, but Phoenix responded with a 15-4 run, highlighted by Durant’s fadeaway jumper, extending their lead to 83-71. Entering the fourth quarter with a 91-80 lead, Phoenix managed to keep Dallas at bay.
Suns’ Free-Throw Advantage Seals the Win
Phoenix dominated from the free-throw line, converting 28 of 37 attempts, compared to Dallas’s 15 of 18, demonstrating the Suns’ disciplined play. Durant’s historic night and the Suns’ cohesive performance set a powerful tone for the season, adding another remarkable chapter to Durant’s illustrious career.
