Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving have had a tumultuous history together during their time in Brooklyn, and any matchup between them is bound to be a headline in itself. However, in Thursday night’s game between the Phoenix Suns and the Dallas Mavericks, it was Luka Dončić who stole the show as the best player on the court.
Dončić, a top contender for the MVP title, delivered yet another outstanding performance, scoring 41 points, dishing out 11 assists, and grabbing nine rebounds to lead the Mavericks to a 123-113 victory over the Suns.
Although Irving also had a solid performance with 29 points and five rebounds, it was clear that Dončić dominated the game. Devin Booker of the Suns had an impressive performance as well, contributing 35 points, eight assists, and five rebounds, while Durant added 23 points to the scoreboard.
Dončić’s brilliance on the court not only captivated the spectators but also had significant implications for the postseason race. With this win, the Mavericks (33-23) surpassed the Suns (33-23) in the standings, securing the tiebreaker by winning the season series, 2-1.
This victory holds great importance considering the tight competition in the Western Conference playoff picture. While there is still a considerable amount of basketball left to be played, the Mavericks’ win allowed them to escape the Play-In Tournament berths and bumped the Suns down to the No. 7 seed.
Looking ahead, it would be exciting to see these teams face off in the postseason, especially considering the history between Irving and Durant, as well as the evident animosity between Dončić and Booker. The standout player in this scenario would undoubtedly be Dončić, as he currently shines in a league of his own.