Suns Defeat Depleted Mavericks 125-116, Close Playoff Gap

The Phoenix Suns defeated the injury-depleted Dallas Mavericks 125-116, inching closer to a play-in tournament spot in the Western Conference. Devin Booker led the Suns with 24 points, while Kevin Durant contributed 21 points, nine rebounds, and eight assists. Naji Marshall shone for the Mavericks, scoring a career-high 34 points despite the team's significant player shortages, including the absence of Kyrie Irving. The Suns shot an impressive 58% from the field, exploiting the Mavericks' lack of depth, which was exacerbated by injuries to key players like Dwight Powell and Brandon Williams. This victory puts Phoenix just 1.5 games behind Dallas for the 10th seed, with both teams set to face more competition in their upcoming matches. The Mavericks, now on a five-game losing streak, are struggling to maintain their playoff position following the loss of several starters.