It’s time for the Phoenix Suns to put everything that has transpired this season behind them and focus on one game — Saturday’s afternoon matchup with the Dallas Mavericks.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!A win gives Phoenix the season series over Dallas and puts them 1.5 games behind them for the 10th-seed and final play-in spot in the Western Conference. A loss splits the series 2-2 and heavily decreases their chances of making a final run at the playoffs with the league’s toughest remaining strength of schedule (opponent winning-percentage of .591).
The last time the two teams faced off was Dec. 27, where the Luka Dončić-less Mavs merely defeated the Devin Booker-less Suns. This will be the first time Phoenix takes on Dallas since they traded Dončić to the Los Angeles Lakers for Anthony Davis and Max Christie.
Dec 27, 2024; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Dallas Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving (11) and Klay Thompson (31) against the Phoenix Suns at Footprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Not only are the Mavericks without Dončić, they’re without Davis, who left his Dallas debut early with a strained adductor, and Kyrie Irving, who suffered a season-ending torn ACL just last week. Daniel Gafford (right knee sprain) and Dereck Lively II (right ankle stress) are also out for Sunday’s clash.
Dallas’ season has been turned completely upside down between the Dončić trade and ravaging injuries, opening the door wide open for the Suns to make a final push for the play-in to try and salvage what has otherwise been a disappointing season.
Phoenix has only been dealing with a few injuries; Bradley Beal has an ongoing left calf injury that kept him out of the second half of their season-turning win over the Los Angeles Clippers and two full games prior to that. Other than Beal, Cody Martin (sports hernia) hasn’t seen the floor since he was traded for and has been assigned to the G League Valley Suns and Monte Morris (low back), who hasn’t been in the rotation for months, has been out.
The way this year has turned out, Phoenix’s season seemingly starts or ends with Sunday’s 3:30 p.m. EST ABC matchup with the Mavericks.
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Reporter Connor Moreno covers the Phoenix Suns for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his X account, @cmorenoNBA, and on Bluesky, @cloading.bsky.social
