Kyrie Irving Sparks Mavericks in 'Old NBA' Style Gritty Win Over Suns Without Luka Dončić
The Dallas Mavericks (20-11) leaned on their depth and defensive tenacity to secure a hard-fought 98-89 victory over the Phoenix Suns (15-15) on Friday night, overcoming the absence of Luka Dončić and Dereck Lively II. The win underscored Dallas’ ability to rally behind Kyrie Irving and a balanced effort despite missing their superstar and starting center.
Irving led the Mavericks with 20 points and five assists, providing a steady hand when the team needed him most. His performance was supported by Daniel Gafford, who finished with 16 points on an efficient 7-of-11 shooting, and Maxi Kleber, whose 15 points and seven rebounds anchored the Mavericks on both ends. Spencer Dinwiddie also contributed 15 points, filling key minutes and helping guide the offense during critical stretches. Klay Thompson added 11 points, including key buckets that kept Phoenix at bay late in the game.
Kevin Durant carried the Suns with 35 points on 11-of-19 shooting, showcasing his offensive arsenal. Bradley Beal chipped in 11 points but shot just 5-of-18 overall, failing to provide a reliable secondary threat with Devin Booker sidelined. Outside of Durant, Phoenix shot 21-of-64 (32.8%) from the floor with 12 of the team’s 13 turnovers.
“I think we were all on the same page when it comes to trapping, rotations, and doing the little things,” Kleber said. “Nobody really slipped up. For the most part, we were consistent, and that’s a big key for us to win against a good team like that.”
The Mavericks shot 43.8% from the field (35-of-80) and limited Phoenix to 38.6% (32-of-83), showcasing their defensive presence throughout the night. Despite being outscored 32-30 in the paint and 17-11 in second-chance scoring, the Mavericks’ timely perimeter shooting and crucial defensive stops allowed them to maintain control. Their bench contributed 40 points, and the team had a 15-6 edge in fastbreak scoring.
“It might as well be the old NBA where you just have to grind it out,” Irving said. “You have to take the will of the other team and make sure they don’t make a run towards the end of the game. Which they had an opportunity to do but we stayed on them.”
Setting the Tone Early
Irving wasted little time asserting himself, scoring 12 of the Mavericks’ first 17 points in the opening quarter. His offensive burst, including four three-pointers in the first six minutes, helped Dallas jump out to an 11-2 lead, quieting the home crowd at Footprint Center.
“I thought Kai set the tone offensively and defensively,” Kidd said. “He encouraged others to stay aggressive and made big shots down the stretch.”
Irving’s aggressiveness from the perimeter and in transition forced Phoenix to scramble defensively, opening up opportunities for his teammates.
“I knew I was going to get a lot of attempts up tonight,” Irving said. “I was clicking in the first quarter. I could have continued that going on the rest of the game, but my teammates carried me and I am grateful for them.”
Irving’s quick start wasn’t just a scoring display but a demonstration of his ability to command the game. Despite cooling off as the game progressed, finishing 7 of 21 from the field, Irving consistently made plays that kept the Mavericks ahead. His five assists reflected his willingness to distribute the ball, while his defensive awareness helped anchor Dallas’ perimeter defense.
“Defense is where our identity starts,” Irving said. “We just try to make sure we stay consistent on it and stay communicative and make sure that other teams feel our physicality. A lot of guys don’t like the physicality when it is done to them. Got to make sure we hit first.”
As Phoenix began deploying a full-court press, Irving remained composed. After the Suns cut the lead to three with an 8-0 run late in the first quarter, Irving responded by draining a corner three off a slick re-drive and kick-out from Thompson. The basket stalled the Suns’ momentum and reaffirmed Dallas’ control heading into the second quarter.
Dallas Mavericks Role Players Provide Key Contributions
While Irving led the charge, Dallas’ supporting cast proved to be the difference-maker. Kleber played one of his most impactful games of the season, registering 15 points and seven rebounds while serving as a defensive anchor in the paint. Kleber’s versatility in guarding in space and contesting shots at the rim slowed Phoenix’s interior offense and disrupted pick-and-roll actions.
“Yes and no,” Kleber said when asked if he was waiting for a performance like this. “I know my main role is not necessarily the offensive end, but obviously it’s a lot more fun if you shoot as well. The key point for me is to be more consistent on the defensive end and make the right decisions on offense.”
Reflecting on the win, Kleber emphasized the importance of staying ready. He set a new season high in scoring and scored in double figures for the first time this season. Although he began the season slow offensively, he’s finding a rhythm.
“I know my role is more defensive, but it’s fun when the shots fall,” Kleber said. “Nights like this show the importance of sticking to the basics.”
Thompson’s lob to Gafford midway through the second quarter sparked a surge for Dallas. Gafford thrived in the paint, using his size and athleticism to finish above the rim. A defensive three-second violation drawn by Irving further extended Dallas’ lead to 46-33. By halftime, the Mavericks led 55-39, holding the Suns to 14 points in the second quarter.
“Defensively, we were tied together,” said Dinwiddie. “That’s what gave us a chance tonight, even when shots weren’t falling.”
Third-Quarter Chaos and Dallas Mavericks’ Composure
Phoenix attempted to claw back early in the third quarter, narrowing the deficit to nine after a corner three from Jusuf Nurkić. However, P.J. Washington responded with a three-pointer to restore Dallas’ double-digit lead.
The game’s most intense moment arrived midway through the third when Nurkić and Naji Marshall became entangled following a hard foul by Nurkić on Daniel Gafford. After being called for an offensive foul, Nurkić led with his elbow into Gafford’s face, sparking the altercation. Marshall confronted Nurkić, and the Suns’ center responded by slapping Marshall in the head. Marshall retaliated with a punch that narrowly missed, and P.J. Washington stepped in, shoving Nurkić to the ground.
“I was a little confused, it happened so quickly,” Irving said. “Moments like that, you just want everybody to be protecting themselves. I felt like that’s what PJ was doing for Naji. After he got hit, he was just protecting himself. If we’re out on the street, you got to protect yourself. You got to put your hands up and at least swing back. So, I’ll take care of it, it’s fine. Whoever’s watching, PJ’s fine, no objections. Yeah, throw that shit under the rug, man. Excuse my language. It’s part of basketball sometimes. I haven’t seen it, so maybe that’s just the way we end 2024, where somebody actually swings in the NBA. Maybe that’ll help our ratings. I don’t know.”
Following a video review, Nurkić, Marshall, and Washington were all ejected from the game.
Despite the ejections, Dallas regrouped quickly. Irving orchestrated the offense, driving into the paint to draw defenders before finding Dinwiddie in the corner for a timely three-pointer. The shot extended the Mavericks’ lead to 70-52, halting any momentum Phoenix had built from the incident.
Dinwiddie echoed Kidd’s praise, crediting Marshall and Washington’s physicality and defensive energy before their ejections.
“It was phenomenal. They set the tone defensively, and Maxi filled in seamlessly,” Dinwiddie said. “We had to slow down KD and Brad, and we did enough to get the win.”
However, Durant responded with a personal scoring burst, knocking down tough mid-range jumpers and finishing in traffic to keep the Suns within striking distance. Phoenix closed the quarter on a run, cutting the margin to 72-64 heading into the fourth.
Closing It Out to Seal the Win
The Suns continued to apply pressure in the fourth, reducing Dallas’ lead to 81-75 with just over seven minutes left. Enter Quentin Grimes. His timely three-pointer from the wing stretched the gap back to nine, halting Phoenix’s rally. Grimes’ shot was part of a critical sequence where Dallas scored on four consecutive possessions, fueled by their relentless defense.
After the game, Kidd highlighted the importance of staying ready and credited the bench for stepping up. Given injuries and ejections, the Mavericks turned to deeper ends of the bench in the fourth quarter, including Olivier-Maxence Prosper.
“Some of those guys sat for two and a half quarters or three quarters. Maxi did a great job when he came in. It’s not easy to sit that long and stay ready,” Kidd said. “We were already without Luka, and losing PJ and Naji made it even tougher. But this was a great team win.”
Kleber delivered down the stretch, converting a floater in traffic and stealing a pass that led to a transition dunk by Gafford. Thompson’s mid-range jumper with two minutes remaining served as the dagger, pushing the lead to 92-80 and putting the game out of reach.
“Those little things—50-50 balls, steals, offensive rebounds—win you games like this,” Kidd said. “Maxi’s been phenomenal. His confidence is growing, and it’s showing.”
Looking Ahead
The Mavericks continue their road trip Saturday against the Portland Trail Blazers. When asked about his availability for the back-to-back, Irving was emphatic.
“For sure, bro,” Irving said. “We can’t drop any games. This part of the season is where teams start to separate or fall behind.”
Dinwiddie emphasized the need to continue defending at this level despite overcoming the effects of a back-to-back on energy.
“ Defense. Any time in an NBA game, if the other team scored 89 points, you at least have a chance to win,” Dinwiddie said.
Meanwhile, the Suns host the Golden State Warriors on Sunday, hoping to rebound from a disappointing loss. With Durant and Beal carrying much of the offensive load, Phoenix faces pressing questions about its depth moving forward.
