Devin Booker’s 24 points led the Phoenix Suns to a 125-116 win over the depleted Dallas Mavericks in the biggest game of the season, closing the gap between them and the final Western Conference play-in spot.
Booker started off slow and scored his 24 points while struggling to shoot, making only 10 shots in 24 attempts and missing all six of his 3s. Kevin Durant followed with 21 points, nine rebounds and eight assists on 8-of-15 shooting. Six Phoenix players scored in double figures, including Grayson Allen with 17 points off the bench.
Dallas had only nine active players entering the game and lost Dwight Powell, Kessler Edwards and Brandon Williams late in the contest. Naji Marshall put the team on his back, scoring 34 points, grabbing nine boards and dishing out 10 assists. Klay Thompson followed with 26 points on 8-of-20 shooting.
Phoenix (30-34) now sits 1.5 games back of the Mavericks for the 10th-seed and final play-in spot and own the season tiebreaker. The Suns take on the Memphis Grizzlies on Monday to kick off the second half of this four-game road trip.
Suns Big 3 push ahead in 3rd quarter
Bradley Beal scored 10 of his team-leading 19 points in the third quarter as part of 40 Phoenix points in the period, pushing their lead over the Mavs to 100-86.
Kevin Durant tied Beal’s total with 19 points through three quarters, adding seven rebounds and six assists. Devin Booker woke up and scored nine points in the period, bringing his total up to 15 on the night. Nick Richards and Grayson Allen each added 14 points to the Suns’ total.
Naji Marshall erupted for 14 points in the third period, bringing his total to 29 points and eight assists on 11-of-17 shooting. Kessler Edwards and Dwight Powell ran into each other and bumped heads towards the end of the quarter, sending them to the locker room. Dallas had only nine active players entering the game.
Mar 9, 2025; Dallas, Texas, USA; Dallas Mavericks forward Naji Marshall (13) drives to the basket against Phoenix Suns center Bol Bol (11) during the first quarter at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
Gritty Mavs stick around in 2nd quarter
Phoenix still seemed to be stunned by the energy of the shorthanded Mavericks as Dallas stuck around and outscored the Suns 30-28 in the second quarter to cut into the lead before halftime, 60-54.
If it weren’t for Grayson Allen’s 10 second quarter points, Phoenix may have fallen behind in the half. Kevin Durant led the team in scoring with 11 points and added four rebounds and five assists. Devin Booker continued to struggle in the second quarter, scoring just two points.
Naji Marshall scored 13 of his 15 points in the quarter and dished out 6 assists in the half, leading the Mavericks to stick around with Phoenix. Brandon Williams trailed him in scoring with 11 points, four rebounds and three assists.
Mar 9, 2025; Dallas, Texas, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) drives to the basket past Dallas Mavericks forward Kessler Edwards (20) during the second quarter at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
Suns power through lethargic 1st quarter
The heavily depleted Mavericks came out the gates firing, going up by as much as six points before Phoenix banded together and took the lead in the first quarter, 32-24.
Bol Bol and Mason Plumlee led the Suns’ balanced attack with six points each. Kevin Durant made his presence felt with five points, three rebounds and five assists on 2-of-2 shooting (1-of-1 from deep). Devin Booker’s shooting struggles continue as he scored just four points on 2-of-7 shooting from the field and 0-of-4 from beyond the arc.
Ten-day contract guard Brandon Williams led Dallas’ early surge with seven points. Naji Marshall orchestrated the offense, dishing out five helpers and scoring two points in the opening period.
Mar 9, 2025; Dallas, Texas, USA; Phoenix Suns center Bol Bol (11) makes a basket past Dallas Mavericks forward Kessler Edwards (20) during the first quarter at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
Injury report
Bradley Beal (left calf injury management) was off of the injury report after being a mainstay for the better part of a few weeks. Monte Morris (low back injury management) and Cody Martin (sports hernia; G League assignment) were both out.
For Dallas, Anthony Davis (left adductor strain), Daniel Gafford (right knee sprain), Jaden Hardy (right ankle sprain), Kyrie Irving (torn left ACL), Kai Jones (left quad strain), Dereck Lively II (right ankle stress fracture), Olivier-Maxence Prosper (right wrist sprain) and P.J. Washington (right ankle sprain) were all out.
‘Jokić is never an underdog’: Kevin Durant weighs in on riveting MVP race
*Get the BEST Phoenix sports insider information, and exclusive content. SIGN UP HERE to unlock our premium content!*
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
