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Suns Defeat Mavericks 112-107, Secure Play-In Spot

4/9/2026

32 4 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

The Phoenix Suns beat Dallas Mavericks 112-107 to clinch the No. 7 seed in West.
Devin Booker of the Phoenix Suns scored 37 points, while John Poulakidas of the Dallas Mavericks scored 23.
The Mavericks briefly led in the fourth before the Suns answered with a decisive run.
Jalen Green of the Phoenix Suns and Jordan Goodwin left the game early, with Phoenix advancing to its first NBA Play-In tournament.

History

Historical Context

The NBA introduced the Play-In Tournament in 2021 to enhance playoff competitiveness, allowing teams ranked 7th to 10th a chance to qualify. The Phoenix Suns, with a 51-21 record, advanced to the NBA Finals for the first time since 1993, showcasing a significant turnaround after years of poor performance. This format aims to engage more teams and fans, potentially reshaping future playoff structures.

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Story summary

The Phoenix Suns beat Dallas Mavericks 112-107 to clinch the No. 7 seed in West.
Devin Booker of the Phoenix Suns scored 37 points, while John Poulakidas of the Dallas Mavericks scored 23.
The Mavericks briefly led in the fourth before the Suns answered with a decisive run.
Jalen Green of the Phoenix Suns and Jordan Goodwin left the game early, with Phoenix advancing to its first NBA Play-In tournament.

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