Suns Surge Early, Survive Mavericks Rally in Gritty 120-111 Win
PHOENIX - For a team that had struggled to find its shooting rhythm recently, the Phoenix Suns came out firing like they had something to prove - and for the first 16 minutes, they absolutely torched the nets. Phoenix dropped a jaw-dropping 50 points in that stretch, building what looked like an insurmountable 31-point lead over the Dallas Mavericks. But what started as a blowout quickly turned into a grind, as Dallas clawed its way back into the game behind a flurry of free throws and a relentless second-half push.
In the end, it was Devin Booker who slammed the door shut, delivering in the clutch to seal a 120-111 Suns win and calm a nervous crowd at the Mortgage Matchup Center.
Suns Start Hot, Mavericks Left Reeling
Phoenix came out with a purpose, and the early numbers told the story. At one point, the Suns were shooting better than 60% from the field, completely overwhelming a Mavericks team that couldn’t buy a rebound. Dillon Brooks led the early charge with 17 of his 23 points coming in the first half, bullying smaller defenders and setting the tone with physical play.
Head coach Jordan Ott’s group was clicking on all cylinders. The bench chipped in 25 points, and the Suns dominated the offensive glass with 11 boards leading to 14 second-chance points. It was the kind of first half that makes you think the game might be over by halftime.
But Dallas had other plans.
Flagg, Marshall Spark Massive Run Before Halftime
Just when it looked like the Mavericks were ready to fold, Cooper Flagg and Naji Marshall ignited an 18-1 run that completely changed the energy in the building. The duo combined for 27 first-half points and finished with 56 overall - with Marshall leading Dallas in scoring with 29. Their size and physicality gave Phoenix problems, and suddenly, the game had life again.
Daniel Gafford was a big part of that surge as well, protecting the rim and anchoring the defense. But early in the third quarter, he picked up his fourth foul - and that changed everything.
Williams Takes Over in the Paint
With Gafford sidelined, Phoenix wasted no time exploiting the mismatch. Mark Williams, who had been quiet in the first half, came alive.
The Suns fed him early and often, and he responded with six quick points in the opening minutes of the third. His presence inside forced the Mavericks to collapse defensively, which opened the door for shooters like Royce O’Neale to find their range.
Booker, sensing the momentum shift, took over from there. With Williams drawing attention, Booker found space in the mid-post and either scored or assisted on the Suns’ next nine points. Just like that, the lead ballooned back over 20.
Mavericks Keep Swinging, Suns Lean on Booker Late
Dallas wasn’t done yet. After struggling from deep all night, the Mavericks hit back-to-back threes to kickstart a 9-3 run in the fourth, capped off by a Flagg and-one that cut the deficit to single digits. Flagg and Khris Middleton kept attacking the rim, drawing fouls and racking up free throws - 24 between the two of them, part of a staggering 44 attempts for Dallas on the night.
But missed opportunities at the line - 11 free throws left on the table - kept the Suns in front.
With the game tightening and Gafford still on the bench, Phoenix went back to the well. Booker found Williams again to momentarily halt the Mavericks’ surge.
And when P.J. Washington buried a three to make it four triples for Dallas in the quarter, Booker answered with a tough fadeaway in the post and a trip to the line to help ice the game.
Final Thoughts
Phoenix’s first-half shooting clinic gave them the cushion they needed, but this was far from a wire-to-wire cruise. The Suns got tested - and passed - thanks to timely contributions from Brooks, Williams, and most importantly, Booker, who continues to be the steady hand when things get tight.
A 31-point lead nearly vanished, but in the end, the Suns did just enough to hold off a Mavericks team that refused to quit. If nothing else, Phoenix showed they can take a punch - and still land the final blow.