Devin Booker, Phoenix Suns fall in 2nd half to Luka Doncic, Dallas Mavericks

The Phoenix Suns fell apart in the second half against the Dallas Maverick and lost, 123-113, on Thursday. That snaps the Suns' two-game win streak, extends the Mavericks' to six.

In Phoenix's second straight game without Bradley Beal, Devin Booker had the team-highs of 35 points and eight assists, and Kevin Durant recorded 23 points in the loss.

Luka Doncic produced game-highs 41 points, 11 assists, nine rebounds, four steals, and Kyrie Irving had 29 points in the victory

After a tight first half in which Phoenix led by as many as 11 in the second quarter, Dallas scored 16 unanswered points to start the third and didn't relinquish the lead.

Dallas scored 29 points off Phoenix's 16 turnovers, whereas Phoenix had 13 points off Dallas' 10.

The Suns (33-22) went from fifth to seventh in the Western Conference standings from the loss, and the Mavericks moved up to sixth, despite both teams having the same record. Dallas wins the three-game season series against Phoenix, 2-1.

Phoenix plays the second of back-to-back games at Houston on Friday at 6 p.m.

Booker, Suns answer Doncic, Mavericks run in 3rd quarter

Dallas took the lead early in the third on a 16-0 run, and lead 96-91 entering the fourth. The Mavericks held the lead from for most of the period.

Phoenix's Devin Booker scored 13 of his 29 points, and Luka Doncic had nine of his game-high 30 for Dallas in the third period.

The Mavericks push their biggest lead 12 points approaching the nine-minute mark. That run was countered by with a 17-5 run led by Booker to cut the lead to one at five minutes left. Booker scored eight during that resurgence.

Phoenix was subdued to a 10-point deficit on a 3 by Tim Hardaway Jr at 2:40, then Phoenix outscored Dallas 6-1 in the final minute.

Suns, Mavericks stars deliver in 1st half

Phoenix is still up at halftime over Dallas, 63-60, and held the lead the entire second period.

Both teams' elite tandems in the Suns' Kevin Durant and Devin Booker as well as the Mavericks' Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving are putting on a show in Dallas.

Durant scored eight of his 12 points in the second, Booker has 16 and three assists. Doncic produced 12 of his game-high 21 points, and Irving had 17.

Phoenix had its largest lead 11 on a trey by Eric Gordon (10 points) at 5:30 left in the half before Doncic took over for the rest of the period.

Booker, Mavericks' Irving start hot in tight 1st quarter

The Phoenix Suns lead 33-32 entering the second period.

Kyrie Irving has the game-high 13 points (5-of-6 shooting) for Dallas, and Devin Booker has 12 (5-of-8) for Phoenix.

The Suns were up by as much as 10 at 2:26 left in the first quarter. Then the Mavericks finished a 13-4 run led by Irving to take their first lead at 32-31 at 28 seconds left after Irving hit his second straight pull-up 3 on a fast break.

Booker ended the period on a mid-range jumpshot to get the lead back for Phoenix.

Bradley Beal ruled out for Suns

Bradley Beal (left hamstring tightness) won't be suiting up for Phoenix.

The Republic's Duane Rankin reported Suns coach Frank Vogel said in his pregame media availability that Beal wasn't "ready to go," and will likely miss the second of their back-to-back games at Houston on Friday.

Eric Gordon will start on the wing to replace Beal, who's string of injuries this season continues to mount at 25 games missed.

Grayson Allen changes minds

Allen came to Phoenix with a reputation as a "dirty player" who was not liked by many NBA fans, including some Suns fans, who wondered how they could root for the player, who had become somewhat of a villain in NBA circles known for some flagrant fouls involving tripping players and other antics.

But times certainly have changed.

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Isaiah Stewart receives suspension

The NBA suspended Detroit Pistons forward Isaiah Stewart three games without pay for “initiating an altercation” with Phoenix Suns backup big Drew Eubanks before last week’s game at Footprint Center.

The league announced Stewart's suspension Thursday. Eubanks didn't receive a suspension.

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Injury reports: Beal questionable, Mavs' Doncic probable

Bradley Beal might miss his second consecutive game for the Suns from left hamstring tightness. He suffered the hamstring injury in Phoenix's 130-125 home win over Sacramento on Feb. 13.

The only other Suns player on their injury report is Damion Lee (right meniscus surgery), who's been out all season.

The Mavericks' Doncic (nose), their starting big Dereck Lively II (nose), and Maxi Kleber (toe) are listed as probable. Their backup guard Dante Exum (knee) is out.

Related: Suns face Dallas Mavericks after break; Bradley Beal (hamstring) questionable

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Booker, Suns fall to Mavericks in 1st game after All-Star break