Devin Booker scored 24 points, Kevin Durant had 21 points, nine rebounds and eight assists and the Phoenix Suns beat the injury-depleted Dallas Mavericks 125-116 on Sunday. Bradley Beal scored 19 points and Grayson Allen added 17 as the Suns pulled within 1 1/2 games of Dallas for the 10th seed in the Western Conference, the final spot in the play-in tournament.
Source: San Antonio Express-News
Source: San Antonio Express-News
What’s the buzz on Twitter?
Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
Kevin Durant blast back at Skip Bayless after “mentally semi-retired” tweet (w/videos). #Suns azcentral.com/story/sports/n… – 9:33 PM
Kevin Durant blast back at Skip Bayless after “mentally semi-retired” tweet (w/videos). #Suns azcentral.com/story/sports/n… – 9:33 PM
NBA on ESPN @ESPNNBA
“Bart will say anything. Nothing is off limits. He’s funnier, edgier and more thought-provoking than me. The character gives me an open book to create.” —Baron Davis on his rapping alter ego, Bart Oatmeal 🎤
Full story
spr.ly/60110B6vR – 7:18 PM
“Bart will say anything. Nothing is off limits. He’s funnier, edgier and more thought-provoking than me. The character gives me an open book to create.” —Baron Davis on his rapping alter ego, Bart Oatmeal 🎤
Full story
spr.ly/60110B6vR – 7:18 PM
Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
“You can feel it when we land. The vibes are low right now, but hopefully they can look back and once everybody gets healthy, on top of next season, still root on their team and root on their city.”
Devin Booker on @TheSteinLine question of facing Mavs w/o Luka Doncic. #Suns pic.x.com/7jmd6g8Ilh – 7:13 PM
“You can feel it when we land. The vibes are low right now, but hopefully they can look back and once everybody gets healthy, on top of next season, still root on their team and root on their city.”
Devin Booker on @TheSteinLine question of facing Mavs w/o Luka Doncic. #Suns pic.x.com/7jmd6g8Ilh – 7:13 PM
Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
“They have no bigs. They’re playing five guards the whole game. We better had scored points in the paint.”
Kevin Durant as Suns scored a season-high 68 paint points in win over Mavs. #Suns pic.x.com/Mb00r6GXvb – 7:05 PM
“They have no bigs. They’re playing five guards the whole game. We better had scored points in the paint.”
Kevin Durant as Suns scored a season-high 68 paint points in win over Mavs. #Suns pic.x.com/Mb00r6GXvb – 7:05 PM
Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
Suns guard Devin Booker postgame autograph, picture and run off after Suns win over Mavs. #Suns pic.x.com/zZrjo7WHVk – 6:29 PM
Suns guard Devin Booker postgame autograph, picture and run off after Suns win over Mavs. #Suns pic.x.com/zZrjo7WHVk – 6:29 PM
Gerald Bourguet @GeraldBourguet
Final: PHX 125, DAL 116
Booker: 24 Pts, 6 Ast, 10-21 FG
Durant: 21 Pts, 9 Reb, 8 Ast, 8-15 FG
Beal: 19 Pts, 6 Ast, 7-10 FG
Allen: 17 Pts, 2 Blk, 6-10 FG
Marshall: 34 Pts, 10 Ast, 9 Reb, 13-22 FG
Suns within 1.5 games of the play-in – 5:46 PM
Final: PHX 125, DAL 116
Booker: 24 Pts, 6 Ast, 10-21 FG
Durant: 21 Pts, 9 Reb, 8 Ast, 8-15 FG
Beal: 19 Pts, 6 Ast, 7-10 FG
Allen: 17 Pts, 2 Blk, 6-10 FG
Marshall: 34 Pts, 10 Ast, 9 Reb, 13-22 FG
Suns within 1.5 games of the play-in – 5:46 PM
StatMuse @statmuse
Phoenix trio vs. Dallas:
Book: 24 PTS | 6 AST
KD: 21 PTS | 9 REB | 8 AST
Beal: 19 PTS | 6 AST
3-1 against the Mavs this season. pic.x.com/Un39AuCySp – 5:45 PM
Phoenix trio vs. Dallas:
Book: 24 PTS | 6 AST
KD: 21 PTS | 9 REB | 8 AST
Beal: 19 PTS | 6 AST
3-1 against the Mavs this season. pic.x.com/Un39AuCySp – 5:45 PM
Kellan Olson @KellanOlson
Good to see Booker still have a spring in his step after 44 minutes on Friday. Lack of shot attempts earlier in the week suggested the knee was bothering him but has still been able to play at a high level the last two games. – 5:42 PM
Good to see Booker still have a spring in his step after 44 minutes on Friday. Lack of shot attempts earlier in the week suggested the knee was bothering him but has still been able to play at a high level the last two games. – 5:42 PM
Gerald Bourguet @GeraldBourguet
Rim protector Grayson Allen(!!!) gets a block at the basket, Devin Booker gets a dunk on the other end. Really not hard to see the effects when the Suns actually make a rare defensive play like that – 5:32 PM
Rim protector Grayson Allen(!!!) gets a block at the basket, Devin Booker gets a dunk on the other end. Really not hard to see the effects when the Suns actually make a rare defensive play like that – 5:32 PM
Gerald Bourguet @GeraldBourguet
End of 3Q: PHX 97, DAL 86
Durant: 19 Pts, 7 Reb, 6 Ast, 8-11 FG
Beal: 19 Pts, 6 Ast, 7-10 FG
Booker: 15 Pts, 6 Ast, 6-12 FG
Richards: 14 Pts, 9 Reb, 6-7 FG
Marshall: 29 Pts, 8 Ast, 11-17 FG – 5:19 PM
End of 3Q: PHX 97, DAL 86
Durant: 19 Pts, 7 Reb, 6 Ast, 8-11 FG
Beal: 19 Pts, 6 Ast, 7-10 FG
Booker: 15 Pts, 6 Ast, 6-12 FG
Richards: 14 Pts, 9 Reb, 6-7 FG
Marshall: 29 Pts, 8 Ast, 11-17 FG – 5:19 PM
Gerald Bourguet @GeraldBourguet
The Suns shot 59.5% overall and had 42 points in the paint…and are only up 6. I’m so tired of talking about shot attempts for Kevin Durant vs. Devin Booker and who they’re running the offense through when the defense/live-ball turnovers/transition defense is clearly the issue – 4:48 PM
The Suns shot 59.5% overall and had 42 points in the paint…and are only up 6. I’m so tired of talking about shot attempts for Kevin Durant vs. Devin Booker and who they’re running the offense through when the defense/live-ball turnovers/transition defense is clearly the issue – 4:48 PM
Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
Suns 60-54 at break.
Led by as many as 15 points.
PHX: Kevin Durant 11 points, Grayson Allen 10 off the bench.
DAL: Naji Marshall 15, Brandon Williams 11.
Points in the paint: Suns 34. Mavs 24. #Suns #MFFL pic.x.com/ZsGeHc2hAe – 4:38 PM
Suns 60-54 at break.
Led by as many as 15 points.
PHX: Kevin Durant 11 points, Grayson Allen 10 off the bench.
DAL: Naji Marshall 15, Brandon Williams 11.
Points in the paint: Suns 34. Mavs 24. #Suns #MFFL pic.x.com/ZsGeHc2hAe – 4:38 PM
Gerald Bourguet @GeraldBourguet
Halftime: PHX 60, DAL 54
Durant: 11 Pts, 5 Ast, 4 Reb, 5-7 FG
Allen: 10 Pts, 3-6 FG
Beal: 9 Pts, 4 Ast, 4-7 FG
Richards: 8 Pts, 6 Reb, 3-4 FG
Booker: 6 Pts, 4 Ast, 3-9 FG
Marshall: 15 Pts, 6 Ast, 5-8 FG
Mavs close 2Q on 7-2 run – 4:35 PM
Halftime: PHX 60, DAL 54
Durant: 11 Pts, 5 Ast, 4 Reb, 5-7 FG
Allen: 10 Pts, 3-6 FG
Beal: 9 Pts, 4 Ast, 4-7 FG
Richards: 8 Pts, 6 Reb, 3-4 FG
Booker: 6 Pts, 4 Ast, 3-9 FG
Marshall: 15 Pts, 6 Ast, 5-8 FG
Mavs close 2Q on 7-2 run – 4:35 PM
Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
Kevin Durant X Jason Kidd = catching up. #Suns #MFFL pic.x.com/p2mcO9FeIZ – 4:30 PM
Kevin Durant X Jason Kidd = catching up. #Suns #MFFL pic.x.com/p2mcO9FeIZ – 4:30 PM
Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
Booker to the rim in halfcourt.
Yeah, get to rim. No shot blocker for Mavs. #Suns – 4:15 PM
Booker to the rim in halfcourt.
Yeah, get to rim. No shot blocker for Mavs. #Suns – 4:15 PM
Gerald Bourguet @GeraldBourguet
End of 1Q: PHX 32, DAL 24
Durant: 5 Pts, 5 Ast, 3 Reb, 2-2 FG
Bol: 6 Pts, 3 Reb, 3-3 FG
Beal: 5 Pts, 2-3 FG
Booker: 4 Pts, 2-7 FG
Williams: 7 Pts, 2 Stl, 3-5 FG
Suns close 1Q on 8-0 run – 4:03 PM
End of 1Q: PHX 32, DAL 24
Durant: 5 Pts, 5 Ast, 3 Reb, 2-2 FG
Bol: 6 Pts, 3 Reb, 3-3 FG
Beal: 5 Pts, 2-3 FG
Booker: 4 Pts, 2-7 FG
Williams: 7 Pts, 2 Stl, 3-5 FG
Suns close 1Q on 8-0 run – 4:03 PM
Eddie Sefko @ESefko
Durant gouging the Mavericks not with his scoring but his passing in the first quarter. He has as many assists (five) as points and the Suns have taken a 32-24 lead after 12 minutes. – 4:02 PM
Durant gouging the Mavericks not with his scoring but his passing in the first quarter. He has as many assists (five) as points and the Suns have taken a 32-24 lead after 12 minutes. – 4:02 PM
Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
The lineups with either Durant only or Booker only are huge for Suns.
Got O’Neale, Plumlee, Allen, Jones and Durant.
Plumlee reverse dunks. Suns up six. #Suns – 4:02 PM
The lineups with either Durant only or Booker only are huge for Suns.
Got O’Neale, Plumlee, Allen, Jones and Durant.
Plumlee reverse dunks. Suns up six. #Suns – 4:02 PM
Gerald Bourguet @GeraldBourguet
Suns up 24-22 despite Devin Booker starting 2-for-7 and 3 early TOs for KD. Defense is conceding far too many open looks already, but Bol Bol is off to a good start after struggling the last 2 games – 3:57 PM
Suns up 24-22 despite Devin Booker starting 2-for-7 and 3 early TOs for KD. Defense is conceding far too many open looks already, but Bol Bol is off to a good start after struggling the last 2 games – 3:57 PM
Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
The Suns need more Bol Bol on offensive boards.
Just got a putback after Booker 3. Suns up 24-22.
Timeout Mavs with 2:32 left in the 1st quarter. #Suns – 3:56 PM
The Suns need more Bol Bol on offensive boards.
Just got a putback after Booker 3. Suns up 24-22.
Timeout Mavs with 2:32 left in the 1st quarter. #Suns – 3:56 PM
Gerald Bourguet @GeraldBourguet
Good start for KD. He’s got a tough pull-up 3 and has assisted on the Suns’ other 3 buckets – 3:46 PM
Good start for KD. He’s got a tough pull-up 3 and has assisted on the Suns’ other 3 buckets – 3:46 PM
Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
Durant turning the corner, had a shot, but passed it out to Booker for 3.
Fits into getting up 3s, but a 15-footer for Durant is a good look.
Durant later 3. Tied 9-9. #Suns – 3:45 PM
Durant turning the corner, had a shot, but passed it out to Booker for 3.
Fits into getting up 3s, but a 15-footer for Durant is a good look.
Durant later 3. Tied 9-9. #Suns – 3:45 PM
Kamenetzky Brothers @KamBrothers
One unique element that helps (note: *helps,* not *makes*) SGA’s MVP case is his deadliness in the midrange, where modern defenses are no longer designed to stop. It reminds me of the 2021 Suns with Booker & CP3. They’re hard to defend because they’re so counterintuitive. AK – 3:30 PM
One unique element that helps (note: *helps,* not *makes*) SGA’s MVP case is his deadliness in the midrange, where modern defenses are no longer designed to stop. It reminds me of the 2021 Suns with Booker & CP3. They’re hard to defend because they’re so counterintuitive. AK – 3:30 PM
Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
Suns starting lineup at Mavs:
Bradley Beal
Devin Booker
Kevin Durant
Bol Bol
Nick Richards #Suns – 3:04 PM
Suns starting lineup at Mavs:
Bradley Beal
Devin Booker
Kevin Durant
Bol Bol
Nick Richards #Suns – 3:04 PM
Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
“You can see that in the last game. Guys are playing hard from start to finish. That’s all we can control is our effort.”
Jason Kidd on short-handed Mavs.
On defending Devin Booker, Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal: “Can’t foul them. Can’t let them get to the line and get their pic.x.com/JlOPKHVRnI – 2:34 PM
“You can see that in the last game. Guys are playing hard from start to finish. That’s all we can control is our effort.”
Jason Kidd on short-handed Mavs.
On defending Devin Booker, Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal: “Can’t foul them. Can’t let them get to the line and get their pic.x.com/JlOPKHVRnI – 2:34 PM
Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
Devin Booker, Grayson Allen and Nick Richards have arrived.
Suns at Mavs today. #Suns pic.x.com/zypPm94sDy – 1:32 PM
Devin Booker, Grayson Allen and Nick Richards have arrived.
Suns at Mavs today. #Suns pic.x.com/zypPm94sDy – 1:32 PM
Jorge Sierra @hoopshype
We have ranked the best player peaks in NBA history.
Seven active players make the Top 25: Doncic, Giannis, Jokic, LeBron, Curry, Harden and KD.
hoopshype.com/lists/the-peak… – 12:13 PM
We have ranked the best player peaks in NBA history.
Seven active players make the Top 25: Doncic, Giannis, Jokic, LeBron, Curry, Harden and KD.
hoopshype.com/lists/the-peak… – 12:13 PM
More on this storyline
Duane Rankin: Durant draws tech as he’s been talking to the ref. Then expresses himself with language. #Suns -via Twitter @DuaneRankin / March 9, 2025
Duane Rankin: “It’s always a balance between us calling things for him, me calling things for him and him finding it in the flow and seeking the ball out in a good way and moving and finding it and getting in and out of action.” Mike Budenholzer on shots for Kevin Durant, who attempted only pic.x.com/TY2ruP985X -via Twitter @DuaneRankin / March 9, 2025
Stephen Curry became the 26th player in NBA history to score 25,000 career points, reaching the milestone during the third quarter of the Golden State Warriors’ 115-110 victory over the Detroit Pistons on Saturday night. “BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!” Curry yelled while running through the hallway to the locker room after a quick return to the court postgame. And that was a tribute to teammate Draymond Green, who loves to yell “boom” after making a 3-pointer. Green, who hit the go-ahead 3 with 35 seconds left, secured the game ball for Curry. “He’s going to keep it for me. I heard he has a little bit of KD’s memorabilia,” Curry said about former teammate Kevin Durant. -via ESPN / March 9, 2025
Marc Stein: The Suns’ Devin Booker on how different it felt to play the Mavericks in Dallas without Luka Dončić: “You can feel it. You can feel it when you land.” More NBA from me: tinyurl.com/yrmzrx83 + @DLLS_Sports -via Twitter @TheSteinLine / March 9, 2025
Jorge Sierra: Chris Paul tied Kobe Bryant in three-pointers last night for No. 28 all-time. Also: Devin Booker moved ahead of Derek Harper, Rasheed Wallace, Amare Stoudemire and Kiki Vandeweghe in scoring for No. 124 in NBA history. -via Bluesky / March 8, 2025
Gerald Bourguet: Devin Booker was barking at his teammates after it looked like Nick Richards and Royce O’Neale were ball-watching instead of making a play on the loose ball, resulting in a fast break layup for Jamal Murray. Suns down 12 again -via Twitter @GeraldBourguet / March 7, 2025