The scorching Phoenix Suns continued their early-season rampage on Friday night, scraping past the Dallas Mavericks 114-113 in a nail-biting thriller at the American Airlines Center. With the heart-stopping victory, the Suns improved to a sizzling 8-1 record and extended their winning streak to seven games.
Phoenix, tied for the NBA’s best record with the Oklahoma City Thunder, has made a habit of playing in tight contests this season. According to sources, the Suns have the second-lowest point differential of any team in league history to win at least eight of its first nine games.
Nurkic’s Late-Game Heroics
Trailing by six points in the fourth quarter, the Suns rallied behind the clutch play of center Jusuf Nurkic. The big man scored five crucial points in the final minute, including a go-ahead putback dunk with 31 seconds left and the game-winning free throw with just 0.8 seconds remaining.
A win is a win, man. I don’t really care if it’s [by] one point or 35. As long as you keep winning, that’s great, because that’s the best way to learn.
Jusuf Nurkic
Nurkic finished with 15 points and 10 rebounds, showcasing his value in crunch time. His offensive rebounds and ability to draw fouls proved pivotal in the Suns’ come-from-behind victory.
Durant’s Leadership and Irving’s Scoring Outburst
Kevin Durant led the way for Phoenix with a team-high 26 points, including a pair of clutch pull-up 3-pointers down the stretch. His steady hand helped keep the Suns within striking distance as former teammate Kyrie Irving caught fire for Dallas, scoring on three straight possessions.
Man, it’s just like we can’t avoid them right now. It’s good practice for us to understand how tough it is to play in this environment, tight games on road, stuff like that is good for us early in the season.
Kevin Durant
Irving finished with a game-high 29 points, but it wasn’t enough to overcome the Suns’ balanced attack. Point guard Tyus Jones chipped in 17 points and 5 assists for Phoenix, providing a steady presence in the backcourt.
Doncic’s Near Miss at the Buzzer
With the Suns leading by one, Dallas had one final chance to steal the victory. Luka Doncic, the Mavericks’ superstar, launched a high-arching 38-footer from the halfcourt logo as time expired. The shot fell short, and Phoenix escaped with their seventh consecutive win.
The Suns, who struggled in clutch situations last season, have now won all seven games that have been within five points in the final five minutes. Their ability to execute under pressure has been a key factor in their early success.
Looking Ahead
As the Suns continue to rack up victories, they understand the importance of learning from these closely contested games. With aspirations of a deep playoff run, the team views these nail-biters as valuable preparation for the high-stakes moments they’ll face later in the season.
We’re not expecting to be in these situations every game, but the more, the better, to be honest. Because that’s usually how it is in the playoffs.
Kevin Durant
The Suns will look to extend their winning streak as they continue their road trip. With an 8-1 record and a penchant for thrilling finishes, Phoenix has quickly established itself as a force to be reckoned with in the Western Conference.
As the season progresses, fans can expect more fireworks from this talented and resilient Suns squad. With Durant’s leadership, Nurkic’s clutch play, and a deep roster of contributors, Phoenix appears poised to make noise in the playoffs and beyond.
