Dallas Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving (11) drives in opposition to the Phoenix Suns in the course of the second half of an NBA basketball recreation, Friday, Dec. 27, 2024, in Phoenix. Dallas received 98-89. (AP Picture/Rick Scuteri)
PHOENIX — Kyrie Irving scored 20 factors, Daniel Gafford added 16 and the Dallas Mavericks received their first recreation since star Luka Doncic was injured, beating the Phoenix Suns 98-89 on Friday night time.
Kevin Durant scored 35 factors for the Suns, who’ve misplaced 4 of their previous 5 video games.
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Doncic is predicted to overlook a few month with a calf damage suffered within the staff’s Christmas Day loss to Minnesota. The Mavs have been left additional short-handed on Friday within the third quarter after forwards Naji Marshall and P.J. Washington — together with Phoenix’s Jusuf Nurkic — have been ejected after a short struggle.
READ: NBA: 3 ejected in altercation throughout Mavericks-Suns recreation
The Mavs persevered anyway because of a balanced effort on each ends of the ground. Dallas by no means trailed and led by as many as 18. Spencer Dinwiddie and Maxi Kleber every scored 15 factors and Klay Thompson added 11.
Dallas took a 55-39 lead by halftime, led by Irving’s 15 factors. The Suns shot simply 33.3% over the primary two quarters.
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Takeaways
Mavericks: It was a gritty win for the Mavs, who managed the sport from the outset regardless of enjoying with out Doncic. Irving made simply 6 of 21 pictures total, however 5 of 10 from behind the arc.
Suns: Two days after a galvanizing win on Christmas Day over the Nuggets, the Suns went proper again to mediocrity. A part of the issue is the absence of injured All-Star Devin Booker, however because the Mavericks confirmed on Friday, groups can nonetheless have a degree of success with out considered one of their stars.
READ: NBA: Mavericks brace for one more Luka Doncic absence
Key second
The Suns briefly reduce the Mavs benefit to 81-75 halfway by the fourth, however Dallas’ Quentin Grimes responded with a troublesome 3-pointer to push the lead again to 9.
Key stat
The Suns have a 7-14 report since beginning the season at 8-1.
Up subsequent
Mavericks at Path Blazers on Saturday; Suns at Warriors on Saturday.
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