The game between the Phoenix Suns and Dallas Mavericks was a showdown featuring some of basketball’s brightest stars, ending with a controversial foul call.
Final Play Drama:
In the final moments, Jusuf Nurkic got free throws after being fouled on an offensive rebound. The Suns narrowly won, improving their record to 8-1.
Jusuf Nurkic was awarded free throws on this final play of Suns-Mavs.
Phoenix survives and improves to 8-1 ๐ฅ
— ESPN (@espn)
Game-Changing Moments:
With just one second left and the score tied at 113, Royce O’Neale missed a shot, but Nurkic grabbed the rebound. He missed his putback attempt but was fouled by Daniel Gafford. While Nurkic was clearly hit, O’Neale had pushed him into position for the reboundโa detail missed by officials. Dallas challenged unsuccessfully since they couldn’t contest a non-call. Nurkic made one of two free throws, sealing the win at 114-113.
Before that wild finish, Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving faced off in an epic duel. Once teammates on the Brooklyn Nets, they each scored heavily in the third quarterโDurant with 11 points and Irving with 10. In total for the second half, Durant racked up 17 points while Irving scored 19.
KD and Kyrie DUELED in the 2nd half ๐ฅ
17 for Durant (26 overall)
19 for Kyrie (29 overall)@KDTrey5, @Suns won their 7th straight!— NBA (@NBA)
Fans love seeing these intense matchups between former teammates!
Role Players Step Up:
Despite star performances from Luka Doncic (30 points) and Devin Booker (12 assists), it was role players who decided the game’s outcome in its final minutes. After Durant’s three-pointer brought Phoenix close to Dallas at 107-106, big men took over: Gafford made crucial free throws following an offensive board; meanwhile, O’Neale’s three-pointer tied things up again before Nurkic closed out scoring for Phoenix.
This victory marked seven consecutive wins for Phoenixโa testament not only to their star power but also depth beyond top scorers like Durant or Booker last season when they relied heavily upon them along with Bradley Beal too often perhaps! On Friday night though six different players reached double figures showing how balanced this team can be now even winning games through contributions from lesser-known names sometimes instead!
The surprising call may have played its part yet what truly mattered most here was how resiliently tough-minded these Suns proved themselves once more under pressure situations where every point counts dearly toward securing another hard-fought victory ultimately achieving success together as one cohesive unit regardless any outside help received along way either intentionally or otherwise perceived so by others watching closely alike everywhere around world today still amazed witnessing such thrilling contests unfold live right before very eyes indeed!
