NBA Top Five Performances, March 5: Kevin Durant’s 37 Points Got the Phoenix Suns a Win Over the Dallas Mavericks

The highly anticipated game further ignited this new rivalry.

TOP PLAYERS OF THE DAY:

There were many headlines going into the Phoenix Suns’ game against the Dallas Mavericks Sunday night. One of the biggest stories coming out of this game was Kevin Durant’s 37-point performance. 

Durant had nine fourth-quarter points, including the winning shot and free throws to extend Phoenix’s lead. Durant is averaging 26.7 points on 69 percent shooting in his three games with the Suns.

“I was out there for a while,” Durant said. “I didn’t look over to Monty on purpose, I wanted to keep playing. I’m glad him and the training staff trusted me, and hopefully we can build on this from here.”

This game brought back the playoff energy and continued the Devin Booker-Luka Doncic rivalry from the postseason. Durant matched up against his former Brooklyn Nets teammate Kyrie Irving, blocking one of his shots and hitting the game-winner over Irving and Tim Hardaway Jr.

OTHERS:

- Anthony Davis’ 39-point performance lifted the Los Angeles Lakers over the Golden State Warriors. Davis spoiled Steph Curry’s return to the court in over a month.

- Mikal Bridges had another superstar performance as a Brooklyn Net, scoring 33 points in the blowout victory over the Charlotte Hornets.

- Immanuel Quickley’s career-high 38 points gave the New York Knicks the win against the Boston Celtics in double overtime. Quickley had seven points in the second overtime period, having himself a career game in his 11th start of the season.

- Paul George had 42 points, 11 rebounds, and three assists against the Memphis Grizzlies to end the Los Angeles Clippers’ five-game losing streak.

Jayden Armant is a contributor to Inside the Heat. He is a student at Howard University. He can be reached at jayden.armant@bison.howard.edu or follow him on Twitter @jaydenarmant.