Preview: Mavericks Face Suns in Early-Season Western Conference Showdown

The Mavericks visit the Suns for a Western Conference showdown. Can Dallas' new trio build on their strong opener, or will Phoenix bounce back after a tough loss to the Lakers?

PHOENIX — The Dallas Mavericks and Phoenix Suns face off in their second game of the season on Saturday night at the Footprint Center. The Mavericks enter their first road game with high hopes after a strong season opener against the San Antonio Spurs, while the Suns look to bounce back after a tough loss to the Los Angeles Lakers in which they squandered a significant early lead.

DALLAS (1-0): The Mavericks opened their 2024-25 campaign with a 120-109 victory over the San Antonio Spurs, headlined by a historic debut performance from Klay Thompson. The veteran sharpshooter hit six three-pointers, setting a franchise record for most threes in a team debut. Luka Dončić, meanwhile, posted a near triple-double with 28 points, 10 rebounds, and 8 assists, working effectively alongside Thompson and Kyrie Irving, who added 15 points.

Thompson, despite his outstanding debut, emphasized the team’s larger aspirations. “It’s one game,” he said. “I don’t want to get ahead of myself. Tonight was a great start, but I’m not satisfied. We have so much basketball ahead. You can never be too high through the regular season. We have really big goals.”

The Mavericks showed resilience after a slow first half against the Spurs, coming out with stronger energy and scoring 40 points in the third quarter to pull away. As they prepare to face Phoenix, Dallas will look to sustain its offensive efficiency while improving consistency on the defensive end.

PHOENIX (1-1): The Suns, led by Kevin Durant’s 30 points, experienced a disappointing 123-116 loss to the Lakers on Friday, allowing a 22-point lead to slip away. Phoenix’s strong first-half ball movement gave way to isolation-heavy sets later in the game, leading to costly turnovers. Head coach Mike Budenholzer acknowledged the need for a more disciplined offensive approach, noting, “We have to continue to fight the paint and get there,” a strategy he sees as key to generating open looks for their shooters.

Bradley Beal’s impact in his Suns debut included 15 points and a game-high nine assists, but his postgame comments underscored his frustration with the team’s lack of consistency. “We had them down 15, 20… they didn’t really have an answer for it. We got real complacent.” Phoenix will aim to avoid such lapses against a Dallas defense that is preparing for a much tougher test.

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HOW TO WATCH AND LISTEN

• Date & Time: Saturday, October 26, 2024, 7:00 p.m. CST

• Location: Footprint Center, Phoenix, AZ

• TV: KFAA, Channel 29

• Streaming: NBA League Pass, MavsTV

• Radio: KEGL 97.1 FM The Eagle, 99.1 FM Zona MX (Spanish)

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INJURY REPORT

Dallas Mavericks:

• Danté Exum: Out (Right wrist surgery)

• Kessler Edwards: Out (G League - Two-Way)

• Brandon Williams: Out (G League - Two-Way)

Phoenix Suns:

• Grayson Allen: Questionable (Personal reasons)

• Bradley Beal: Questionable (Right elbow soreness)

• Josh Okogie: Out (Right hamstring strain)

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MATCHUP NOTES

LAST MATCHUP RECAP: Mavericks 123, Suns 113

The Mavericks defeated the Suns 123-113 in their final regular-season matchup last February, thanks to standout performances from Luka Dončić and Kyrie Irving. Dončić delivered a game-high 41 points, along with 9 rebounds and 11 assists, while Irving added 29 points on 11-of-18 shooting. This victory gave Dallas a 2-1 edge in the 2023-24 season series.

PLAYER HIGHLIGHTS

• Luka Dončić had a commanding presence in the last meeting, with a near triple-double on 14-of-27 shooting, including 6-of-11 from beyond the arc.

• Kyrie Irving scored 29 points, showcasing his scoring efficiency (11-of-18 FG) and adding 5 rebounds.

• Kevin Durant led Phoenix with 30 points, 5 rebounds, and a block, while Devin Booker contributed 23 points and 8 assists in the last matchup.

GAME FLOW

The Mavericks and Suns engaged in a competitive game with three lead changes and one tie. After trailing by as many as 11 in the first half, Dallas mounted a strong third-quarter run, outscoring Phoenix 36-28 to take a five-point lead into the fourth quarter. A key stretch in the final period saw Dallas pull away, securing the win.

SERIES HISTORY

Dallas has won four of the last six meetings, including the previous two road games in Phoenix. Historically, however, the Mavericks have struggled in Phoenix, holding a 29-58 record. Phoenix dominated the series between 2020 and 2022, winning 10 straight games, but Dallas has shifted the dynamic in their favor.

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