In a thrilling matchup on Friday night, the Phoenix Suns secured a narrow 114-113 victory over the Dallas Mavericks, thanks to Jusuf Nurkic's clutch free throw with 0.8 seconds remaining.
Kevin Durant led the Suns with 26 points, while Nurkic contributed 15 points and 10 rebounds, propelling Phoenix to an impressive 8-1 record for the first time since the 2009-10 season. Notably, the Suns have now defeated the defending Western Conference champion Mavericks twice this season.
The game's intensity peaked in the final moments, with Nurkic's putback dunk giving the Suns the lead with just 31 seconds left on the clock. However, Daniel Gafford's alley-oop dunk from Luka Doncic tied the game at 113 apiece.
Ultimately, it was Nurkic's offensive rebound and subsequent free throw that sealed the victory for Phoenix, as Dallas failed to convert on a last-second attempt. Doncic's desperation 3-pointer fell short at the buzzer, securing the Suns' hard-fought win.
Notable performances included Royce O'Neale's 18 points off the bench for Phoenix and Devin Booker's double-double with 13 points and 12 assists.
Looking ahead, the Suns will face the Sacramento Kings at home on Sunday, while the Mavericks are set to take on the Denver Nuggets on Sunday night.
Key Takeaways:
- Phoenix's bench outscored Dallas' reserves 28-9, a significant factor in the Suns' victory.
- Gafford's foul trouble, compounded by Lively II's absence due to injury, forced the Mavericks to adjust their frontcourt rotation.
Key Moment: Nurkic's crucial offensive rebound and free throw following O'Neale's miss proved to be the deciding factor in the game.
Key Stat: While offensive rebounds were relatively even, Phoenix capitalized on key opportunities in the fourth quarter, with Nurkic securing all three of his offensive boards in the final period.
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