Suns Edge Mavericks in Feisty Sunday Showdown

Welcome to Inside The Suns' live blog for Sunday's game between the Phoenix Suns and Dallas Mavericks. Here, you'll find all the latest scores, updates and analysis between the two Western Conference powers.

Final: Suns 130, Mavericks 126

Fourth Quarter

Suns 128, Mavericks 126

Kevin Durant with the possible dagger with just 3.5 seconds left.

Suns 118, Mavericks 118

Superstars are making buckets left and right. This game is doing down to the wire.

Mavericks 108, Suns 105

Things are getting electric in Dallas as the game starts to wind down. Dallas enjoying plenty of success from their bench. Deandre Ayton virtually unseen in the second half, as he last scored in the first quarter.

Third Quarter: Suns 96, Mavericks 95

This is setting up to be quite the entertaining finish. Ish Wainright came off the bench and provided a quick pair of three-pointers before Devin Booker took over at the end of the quarter, already hitting the 30-point threshold.

Mavericks 91, Suns 83

Luka and Kyrie Irving have woken up. The two have combined for 45 points thus far. Suns can't buy a three-pointer right now and that's been the difference in what's been a very back and forth game.

Mavericks 74, Suns 70

Dallas emerged to their largest lead of the game (eight). Josh Okogie is 0-8 from downtown but Suns are already in the bonus with over seven minutes left in the game. Phoenix needs to continue to put the ball in the paint and get to the line this quarter.

Halftime: Mavericks Lead 62-59

Dallas is leading thanks to a tremendous effort from their bench. Tim Hardaway Jr. leads all players with 18 points. Booker and Durant have combined for 33 points at halftime but no other Suns player has more than six. Deandre Ayton is controlling the boards with nine rebounds but Phoenix's three-point shooting (4-16) needs to improve.

Second Quarter

Mavericks 60, Suns 56

Booker starting to heat up despite Dallas maintaining their advantage. After starting 1-7 from downtown the Mavericks have made their last 8-13 shots from deep.

Mavericks 47, Suns 44

Tim Hardaway knocks down a three to put Dallas back ahead with over seven minutes left in the first half. Mavericks really finding their form here, especially from three-point land. Durant finally missed his first shot after starting 6-6 from the field.

UPDATE: Luka Doncic wincing in pain and on the bench with what is suspected to be a left thigh injury. Made his first shot but then missed his last six. ESPN broadcast showed replay where he visibly showed discomfort.

First Quarter: Suns Lead 31-25

Durant leads the pack with 10 points in the early portions of the first quarter. Phoenix is shooting 63.6% from the field but are just 2-7 from downtown.

Luka Doncic leads Dallas with seven of his own despite 1-7 shooting.

PHX 23, DAL 19

Not too many stoppages in play thus far. Monty Williams forced to call a timeout after Mavs drained back-to-back three's. Dallas off to a slow shooting night beyond the arc but starting to pick up some traction. Cam Payne in for Chris Paul but all other starters out there for Phoenix.

PHX 13, DAL 7

Quick and fast-paced action here early in the game. Everybody for both teams getting involved. Early timeout from Dallas after three Deandre Ayton buckets.

Suns Starters

Chris Paul
Devin Booker
Josh Okogie
Kevin Durant
Deandre Ayton

PREGAME

The Phoenix Suns are off to a great start in the Kevin Durant era, as they've won their first two games with the new superstar forward in their lineup.

The Suns travel to battle a familiar foe in the Dallas Mavericks in a Sunday matinee matchup. Suns-Mavericks has been plenty entertaining for various reasons over the last year, yet a new wrinkle in the matchup was added with the team's new additions of Durant and Kyrie Irving.

The two former Brooklyn Nets teammates failed to make good on their dynamic duo and win a championship, though a NBA title is in the sights for both new squads.

Durant isn't making anything out of the meeting between the two.

“Just another game,” Durant said after Friday’s 125-104 victory against the Chicago Bulls (h/t Clutch Sports).

“I understand the entertainment aspect and a lot of people on the outside got the game circled on their calendar, but for both teams, just regularly scheduled programming. Getting back to work and seeing how you can get better as a unit.”

The Suns arrive to Dallas with a 35-92 record and winners of their last five-of-seven. The Mavericks have won just two of their last seven games.