Devin Booker scored 26 points and dished out nine assists as the Phoenix Suns held off the Dallas Mavericks 123-114 on Wednesday night at American Airlines Center. Grayson Allen added 23 points, including a key late stretch that secured Phoenix’s fourth straight victory.
Dallas cut an 18-point second-half deficit to three with under two minutes left, but Allen’s scoop shot and free throws sealed the win for the Suns. Klay Thompson led Dallas with 19 points, hitting a season-high six 3-pointers off the bench.
Brandon Williams contributed 17 points, and Cooper Flagg added 16 for the Mavericks, who fell to 3-9 in their worst start through 12 games since 2017-18. Phoenix improved to 7-5, winning six of their last seven games after a 1-4 start.
The Mavericks were hampered by injuries, with P.J. Washington Jr. leaving in the first quarter with a left shoulder strain and Anthony Davis missing his seventh straight game with a strained calf. Dereck Lively II also sat out with a right knee sprain.
Phoenix rallied after trailing 28-18 late in the first quarter, scoring the final 12 points to take control. The Suns maintained consistent scoring throughout, posting 32 and 28 points in the third and fourth quarters, respectively.
Dallas rallied in the fourth but couldn’t overcome Phoenix’s balanced attack. The Suns shot 50% from the field, including 40% from three-point range, and made 21 of 26 free throws. Dallas finished 43 of 86 overall and 36% from deep.
The teams meet next week with the Suns hosting Indiana on Thursday and Dallas welcoming the Los Angeles Clippers on Friday.
