Phoenix Suns Outlast Dallas Mavericks 120-111

The Phoenix Suns welcomed the Dallas Mavericks to the Mortgage Matchup Center on Tuesday night. The Suns defeated the Mavericks 120-111 in regulation. Phoenix improved to 32-22, while Dallas fell to 19-34 and an eight-game losing skid.

The Suns hosted Black Excellence Night, a nod to Black History Month throughout February. The first 5,000 fans in attendance received a custom Khaman Maluach heritage jersey. The said jersey was unique, just like Khaman Maluach’s journey to the NBA.

Maluach, 19, was born in Rumbek, Sudan (now South Sudan) and raised in Kawempe, Uganda as a refugee with his mother and six siblings. His father remained in Sudan for work. He attended Bethel Covenant College in Bwebajja, Uganda and the NBA Academy Africa in Saly, Senegal before matriculating to Duke University in Durham, North Carolina.

The Houston Rockets selected Maluach with the 10th overall pick of the 2025 NBA Draft before trading him to the Suns as part of the Kevin Durant trade finalized on July 6, 2025.

In Case You Missed It

The Phoenix Suns dropped a 109-103 decision to the Philadelphia 76ers at the Mortgage Matchup Center on Saturday night. Dillon Brooks led the Suns with 28 points, two rebounds and two assists. Joel Embiid led the 76ers with 33 points, nine rebounds and three assists.

The Dallas Mavericks suffered a 138-125 blowout by the San Antonio Spurs at the Frost Bank Center on Saturday night. Klay Thompson led the Mavericks with 19 points, one rebound, and two assists, Stephon Castle led the Spurs with 40 points, 12 rebounds and 12 assists.

Castle, 21, became the youngest player in NBA history to put up 40 points, 12 rebounds, and 12 assists in a game. The 21-year-old previously put up 18 points, seven rebounds and six assists in the Spurs’ 135-123 win over the Mavericks on Thursday, February 5.

Marvin Bagley III set the Mavericks record for most offensive rebounds in a Dallas debut after garnering eight offensive rebounds, per Elias Sports Bureau. Previously, Chris Gatling garnered six offensive rebounds vs. Denver Nuggets on November 1, 1996. Bagley III, 26, finished the game with 16 points, 12 rebounds and four blocks.

Phoenix Suns vs. Dallas Mavericks Starters

The Phoenix Suns and Dallas Mavericks are Western Conference foes but shared some lighthearted moments before the tip-off. Cooper Flagg hung out with Khaman Maluach. Flagg, 19, and Maluach were former Duke teammates during the 2024-25 NCAA season.

Phoenix’s starting lineup featured Collin Gillespie, Devin Booker, Dillon Brooks, Royce O’Neale and Mark Williams. Phoenix ruled out Grayson Allen (knee), Isaiah Livers (shoulder) and Cole Anthony (not with team).

Dallas’ starting lineup featured Tyus Jones, Max Christie, Cooper Flagg, PJ Washington Jr. and Daniel Gafford. Dallas ruled out Dereck Lively II (right foot surgery), Kyrie Irving (knee) and Klay Thompson (rest).

Jones, 29, played for the Suns during the 2024-25 NBA season. He made his team debut on October 23, 2024, with an eight-assist and zero-turnover performance, which was the most assists without a turnover by a Sun in a debut since the 1976 ABA-NBA merger.

Suns vs. Mavericks Recap

Phoenix took control to open the first quarter. Royce O’Neale and Devirn Booker’s rainbow connection highlighted Phoenix’s early 9-1 run. Dillon Brooks started the game with 15 first-quarter points. Dallas shined with Max Christie’s birthday buckets and Cooper Flagg’s rim shots. Phoenix took a 36-16 lead to end the first.

Phoenix remained dominant to start the second quarter. Amir Coffey scored his first points in a Phoenix Suns uniform. Dallas’s late comeback kept the score close until the final four minutes. Phoenix took a 65-48 lead into halftime.

Both teams suffered a slow start to open the third quarter but shrugged off the sluggishness. Devin Booker passed Jason Kidd on the NBA’s all-time scoring list. At least Marvin Bagley III’s energy was contagious for the Mavs. Phoenix took a 96-75 lead through three quarters.

Cooper Flagg recorded his 24th career 20-point performance, tying Kobe Bryant for the sixth-most 20-point games by a teenager NBA history. Flagg recently passed teammate Kyrie Irving (22) for the seventh-most 20-point games by a player before his 20th birthday.

Dallas opened the fourth-quarter scoring. Jason Kidd’s challenge was successful. Kidd, 52, challenged the offensive foul issued to Caleb Martin. Martin, 30, rolled his ankle on the fast break as Naji Marshall entered the game. Phoenix’s free throw percentage tumbled. Khris Middleton made a three-pointer. Phoenix won 120-111.

Next Steps

The Suns conclude the four-game homestand against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Wednesday night at 7 p.m. Mountain. Phoenix can upset Oklahoma City with a rise in resilience, performance and offensive capability.

The Mavericks continue the six-game road trip against the Los Angeles Lakers on Thursday night at 7 p.m. Pacific. Dallas can upset Los Angeles with a focus on offense, defense and leverage of key players, such as Cooper Flagg, Max Christie and Naji Marshall.