A nationally broadcast audience watched as the Phoenix Suns (33-23) and the Dallas Mavericks (33-23) squared off during the NBA All-Star break. With a strong performance by Luka Doncic (41 points, 11 assists, and 9 rebounds) and Kyrie Irving (29 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 assists), the Mavs were able to secure the 123-113 victory. 

Dereck Lively II was re-inserted into the starting lineup after returning from an injury and playing off the bench prior to the NBA All-Star break. Just the original four—Doncic, P.J. Washington, Irving, and Josh Green—remain. After being deemed questionable with stiffness in his left hamstring, Bradley Beal was eventually ruled out for the Suns’ game. 

Starting the game with an 8-0 lead and maintaining it to a 13-5 lead, the Suns were clearly in the lead. As the first quarter came to a close, the Mavs kept playing from behind and eventually fell behind by double digits (29-19). Early on, Dallas had trouble keeping up with Phoenix, who sent wing players like Kevin Durant to Lively and Jusuf Nurkic to 

In a flurry of activity, Irving scored eight straight points to end the first quarter. His scoring run included a pair of transition pull-up 3-pointers. Though the Suns held a 33-32 lead at the end of the first period, Dallas went on a 13-2 run at this time. 

Durant took the lead for the Suns early in the second quarter, despite aggressive help rotations and double teams by the Mavs. Midway in the period, the Suns took a timeout with a 49-41 lead. Once Eric Gordon made a 3-pointer, Phoenix took control of the game and went ahead by double digits, 54–43. 

Despite trailing 63-60 at halftime, the Mavs completed the half with a 17-9 scoring advantage against the Suns. With 12 of Dallas’ last 19 points in the second quarter coming from Doncic, he really took control of the game. Before halftime, Doncic had scored 21 points, grabbed 4 boards, and dished out 4 assists; Irving had chipped in 17 points and 2 assists. 

The Mavs took a commanding 69-63 lead with 10:22 remaining in the third quarter thanks to two 3-pointers by Doncic and an assist from Washington on a pick-and-pop. After the Suns attempted to guard Washington with Jusuf Nurkic, Dallas made them pay by putting him into screening actions, with Doncic taking the lead. Earlier in the game, in almost identical circumstances, Dallas had a streak of possessions that ended in failure. This time, the tables were turned. 

From beyond the arc, the Mavs kept pouring it on the Suns. Doncic and Josh Green both converted. At the 9:17 mark of the third quarter, Dallas held a 75-63 lead. Because of this, Doncic has already gotten his 30th point. 

The Suns came back from behind, cutting their deficit to 81–80. As the sole superstar for the Mavs, Irving was constantly searching for ways to score. While Dallas was ahead, he helped keep the lead alive by drawing a foul on his ex-teammate Durant on an isolation play, which led to a successful trip to the free throw line. When Doncic got back into the game, Dallas was ahead 93–85. 

As the third quarter came to a close, Doncic’s frustration with a string of uncalled fouls led to his technical penalty. At the end of the third quarter, the Suns cut Dallas’ lead to 96-91, but Dallas still had a 36-28 advantage over Phoenix. 

Irving spearheaded a fast break that ended with a spectacular layup by way of a spin move, which caused the Suns to take a timeout. As a result, with 9 minutes and 35 seconds left in the game, the Mavs regained a double-digit lead over the Suns. After starting the quarter on a 10-point advantage, Dallas never relinquished it. 

In the final minutes of the game, the Suns went all-in, with Durant utilising small ball five. After a timeout, the Mavericks substituted Maxi Kleber for Daniel Gafford, who had started the game. Near the end of regulation, Dallas came roaring back, thanks in large part to a 3-pointer by Doncic (a catch-and-shoot) that extended their lead to 15 points. By that time, Dallas had already secured the win. 

The following game is Sunday’s first of a four-game road trip for the Mavs, as they will face the Indiana Pacers.