Devin Booker Leads Phoenix Suns to Victory Over Dallas Mavericks
- The Phoenix Suns secured the seventh seed in the Western Conference on April 8, 2026, following a 112-107 victory over the Dallas Mavericks.
- Devin Booker led the effort for the Suns, scoring a game-high 37 points on 13-27 shooting while contributing nine assists.
- Dillon Brooks provided significant support, scoring 28 points on 11-22 shooting, which included 4-5 from three-point range.
The Phoenix Suns secured the seventh seed in the Western Conference on April 8, 2026, following a 112-107 victory over the Dallas Mavericks. The win, achieved before a sellout crowd of 17,071 at the Mortgage Matchup Center, ensures that Phoenix will host the No. 7 versus No. 8 play-in tournament game next week.
Devin Booker led the effort for the Suns, scoring a game-high 37 points on 13-27 shooting while contributing nine assists. Booker also finished the game with a perfect 9-9 record from the free-throw line.
Dillon Brooks provided significant support, scoring 28 points on 11-22 shooting, which included 4-5 from three-point range. Brooks scored the final basket of the game, a driving layup with 13.7 seconds remaining, to establish the final margin of victory.
Game Progression and Key Plays
The Suns maintained control for a large portion of the contest, leading for nearly 80% of the game and at one point holding an 18-point advantage. However, the Mavericks attempted a late-game comeback, utilizing an 18-1 run to close the gap after trailing 71-53 early in the third quarter.
Dallas briefly took a 95-93 lead with 8:16 remaining in the game after a three-pointer from Max Christie. Phoenix responded with a 9-0 run to reclaim the lead and did not trail for the remainder of the match.
In the final minute, John Poulakidas hit a three-pointer to bring the Mavericks within three points at 110-107 with 1:08 left. The rally was halted when Oso Ighodaro blocked a shot attempt by Moussa Cisse at the rim.
Mavericks Performance and Roster Challenges
The Dallas Mavericks were severely shorthanded for the matchup, with only 10 available players. The team was without several key players due to various injuries and rest, including:
- Kyrie Irving (left knee surgery)
- Dereck Lively II (right foot surgery)
- Daniel Gafford (right shoulder impingement)
- P.J. Washington (left elbow sprain)
- Caleb Martin (right planta fascia strain)
- Naji Marshall (left hip contusion)
- Brandon Williams (illness)
- Klay Thompson (rest)
John Poulakidas, an undrafted rookie from Yale, led the Mavericks with a season-high 23 points coming off the bench. Cooper Flagg, a Rookie of the Year front-runner, finished with 11 points, 11 rebounds, and 6 assists, though he struggled with shooting efficiency, going 4-19 (or 4-18 according to some reports) from the field.
Suns Injuries and Roster Notes
Despite the win, the Suns suffered two significant injuries during the first half. Jalen Green suffered a right knee injury in the first quarter and Jordan Goodwin suffered a left ankle injury; neither player returned for the second half.
The Suns entered the game without Mark Williams, Grayson Allen, and Haywood Highsmith. However, the game marked the first start of the season for rookie center Khaman Maluach, the No. 10 overall pick from Duke. Maluach recorded a season-high 14 rebounds and blocked a dunk attempt by Cooper Flagg in the fourth quarter.
Upcoming Schedule and Standings
With this victory, the Phoenix Suns improve their regular-season record to 44-36. The Dallas Mavericks fall to 25-55.
The Suns have two road games remaining in the regular season: a matchup against the Los Angeles Lakers on April 10 and a game against the Oklahoma City Thunder on April 12.