The Phoenix Suns have emerged as one of the most impressive teams in the NBA following their first nine games of the season. After a thrilling 114-113 victory over the Dallas Mavericks on Friday, the Suns are now at the top of the Western Conference with an 8-1 record.
The Suns built an early 10-point lead in the first quarter, but the game remained close throughout, with both teams exchanging strong shooting performances from their stars. Ultimately, it was Phoenix who came out on top, continuing their dominant start to the season.
One Suns fan pointed out the team’s remarkable improvement in close games, noting, “The Suns are 7-0 in clutch situations this season, compared to just 20-21 last year, marking a seven-game win streak and an 8-1 start. They’re starting to look like the superteam they were expected to be.”
In Friday’s win, Kevin Durant again led the charge with 26 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 assists, shooting 57.1% from the field. Durant also went 7-for-7 from the free-throw line, including two clutch free throws to seal the victory. One fan praised the dramatic finish, calling the back-and-forth between Durant and Kyrie Irving “pure cinema” and declaring that Durant is the best clutch player in the league right now.
Historically, the Suns struggled in close games, but they have clearly turned a corner this season, emerging as one of the NBA’s most disciplined and efficient teams in crunch time.
“Suns went from blowing leads to being the best clutch team in the NBA,” noted one fan on X.
On the other side, the Mavericks fell to 5-4 despite the addition of Klay Thompson. Luka Dončić led the team with 30 points, 7 rebounds, and 7 assists, while Kyrie Irving contributed 29 points, 7 rebounds, and 6 assists. Thompson finished with just 12 points on 30.8% shooting, and Dallas’s defense was once again a major issue.
A Mavericks fan commented, “They’re missing Dereck Lively. But still, their defense was pretty awful tonight.”
The Western Conference has never been more competitive, and both teams are in the hunt to emerge as the last team standing. So far this season, the Suns are showing they have the complete roster and skill set to be a true championship contender, something team owner Mat Ishbia has been waiting for.
“This might be the year Phoenix finally gets an NBA championship,” said one excited fan on X.
While it remains to be seen whether the Suns can maintain this level of play over the course of the season, they certainly have the talent to keep it going. With the leadership of Durant, the stellar play of Devin Booker, and a rejuvenated supporting cast, the Suns are looking nearly unstoppable.
However, as we’ve seen in past seasons, teams can falter under pressure, especially during the high-stakes environment of the playoffs. Despite their impressive start, the Suns still have much to prove before they can fully silence any doubts about their status as a legitimate title contender.
