Devin Booker Drops 28 as Suns Rally in 4th Quarter to Top Luka Doncic, Mavs
Luka Doncic and Devin Booker traded blows Thursday evening. The Phoenix Suns were the team left standing.
Booker had 28 for the Suns in a 109-101 win over the Mavericks. Doncic did his part to keep Dallas in the contest, with 28 points of his own in a tight contest between two of the hottest teams in the NBA.
Despite playing the second half of a back-to-back—Doncic put up 41 on the Toronto Raptors Wednesday night—the Mavericks will feel they let one slip away. They held a 12-point lead early in the third quarter and started the fourth up eight points, only to watch the Suns outscore them 35-19 in the final frame.
Chris Paul provided the dagger:
No lead is safe against Booker and these Suns. It's been that sort of season for the 35-9 title contenders, who moved three games above the Golden State Warriors atop the Western Conference standings.
The loss dropped Dallas to 26-20 on the season, though it remains fifth in the Western Conference.
Key Stats
Devin Booker, PHX: 28 points, six assists, five rebounds
Chris Paul, PHX: 20 points, 11 assists, five rebounds
Jae Crowder, PHX: 13 points, two steals
Luka Doncic, DAL: 28 points, eight assists, eight rebounds, eight turnovers
Jalen Brunson, DAL: 19 points,
Kristaps Porzingis, DAL: 18 points, 11 rebounds
Doncic vs. Booker Was Fun
Doncic would throw some proverbial punches:
Booker would counter:
NBA fans profited.
When you get two of the NBA's purest scorers together, the result is almost always must-watch TV. Thursday was no exception.
Brunson Was Excellent In a Losing Effort
When Doncic was on the bench early in the fourth quarter, dealing with what looked like a neck injury, the Mavericks needed someone to step up. Brunson answered the call.
The veteran point guard has become a key player for the Mavs, taking some of the playmaking burden off Doncic while providing the team with savvy and toughness in spades.
The questions about Dallas' upside almost always revolve around Doncic's supporting cast. Brunson, at least, did his part against the Suns.
What's Next?
The Mavericks get two days off before hosting the Memphis Grizzlies on Sunday at 7:30 p.m. ET. The Suns will host the Indiana Pacers on Saturday at 9 p.m. ET.
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