The Dallas Mavericks (24-19) will host the Phoenix Suns (25-18) Wednesday at the American Airlines Center, with the game set to tip off at 8:30 p.m. ET. The highly anticipated rematch comes nearly a month after Luka Dončić's stellar performance in the teams’ last matchup.
In the Christmas Day game between the Mavs and the Suns, Dončić tallied 50 points, 15 assists and eight 3-pointers, leaving the Suns in disbelief with a 128-114 victory.
Back then, the Mavericks managed to stifle the formidable duo of Kevin Durant and Devin Booker, limiting them to a combined 36 points on 10-of-25 shooting. In addition to Dončić, the Mavs delivered standout performances from Dereck Lively II, Derrick Jones Jr., and Tim Hardaway Jr.
However, the landscape has shifted since then. The Suns, currently riding a six-game winning streak, have surpassed the Mavericks in the Western Conference standings, holding the sixth spot compared to the Mavs' eighth.
The Mavs and the Suns are expected to have a close matchup in the upcoming game, with the Suns slightly more favored to win.
Suns’ recent form
Phoenix has won 11 out of their last 14 games, including the team’s six-game winning streak. Their recent triumphs include quality wins against teams like the Lakers, Pelicans, Pacers and Kings.
Suns’ form is strengthened by guard Bradley Beal's return from injury on December 29. Beal averaged 20.3 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 4.4 assists in January, complementing Booker and Durant’s performances.
The Durant-Booker duo has been prolific, with Booker scoring 52 points in last week’s 123-119 win at New Orleans, and Durant scoring 40 and 43 in the Suns’ last two.
Injury updates
With just 24 hours left before tipoff, the Mavericks face uncertainties in their lineup as key players deal with various injuries. Seth Curry is listed as questionable due to a left ankle issue, although reports suggest he participated in a 5-on-5 practice session on Wednesday.
Star player Dončić is contending with lower back tightness, Kyrie Irving is nursing a right thumb sprain sustained in Monday's 119-110 loss to the Celtics and Dante Exum is dealing with a right plantar injury. All three are listed as questionable for Wednesday’s game.
“Yeah, on the first play of the game, JT went by me and I tried to swipe, and he does his kind of trick where he puts the ball up and messed up my thumb,” Irving said after the game against the Boston Celtics. “That’s why I’m wearing this freaking brace right now, man.”
Exum’s potential return could inject a spark into the Mavericks' performance, however, which poses the possibility of a shift in the dynamics.
Meanwhile, Phoenix is dealing with several player injuries after their last game against the Chicago Bulls. Grayson Allen is listed as questionable for the upcoming game after appearing to roll his ankle in the previous night's action.
Also listed as questionable, Eric Gordon is nursing right wrist soreness. His availability for the upcoming game is yet to be confirmed.
Bol Bol is ruled out for the upcoming game due to a right foot sprain. Despite Suns coach Frank Vogel expressing confidence that the injury is not severe, Bol has been sidelined for the last four games. He had been making significant contributions to the Suns' rotation before his injury.
Meanwhile, Damion Lee remains sidelined due to the right meniscus surgery undergone before the training camp. While the date for his return is unknown, Coach Vogel said Lee is expected to return before the end of the season.