Durant, who has a total of three wins since his arrival in Phoenix, was the great figure in the tense all-star battle between these rival Western Conference teams.
Along with the forward, Devin Booker signed 36 points and 10 assists for the Suns, while for the Mavericks Irving finished with 30 points and Luka Doncic with 34.
Durant and Irving saw their faces for the first time since their departure from the Nets, which closed the turbulent stage of four seasons that they lived together in Brooklyn, with many more controversies off the courts than sporting successes.
In February, after requesting his departure from the Nets, Irving was transferred to the Mavericks and a few days later Durant also left the franchise to join the Suns, who with his arrival have once again become candidates for the ring.
On Sunday, the forward and point guard ran into each other at various times on the court, such as a spectacular block that Durant placed on Irving in the fourth quarter.
The duel at the American Airlines Center in Dallas reached the final phase evenly, when the figure of Durant, winner of two rings with the Warriors (2017 and 2018) and 13-time All-Star, rose above all.
With the score tied at 126, the forward found space in front of Tim Hardaway Jr.’s defense to nail a shot from midrange that gave the Suns the lead with just 12 seconds left.
Luka Doncic tried to tie it in the next action but missed a clear shot in front of the rim and Durant grabbed the rebound.
After lamenting his mistake, the Slovenian ran angrily to face Devin Booker, who was claiming to the referees a possible previous foul by Doncic.
The tense incident resulted in a double technical and Durant made the final two free throws to cap his third victory since his arrival in Phoenix.
The Mavericks, on the other hand, have a balance of four wins and five losses with Irving on the track.
– Results of Sunday in the NBA:
Dallas Mavericks – Phoenix Suns 126-130
In Game:
Chicago Bulls – Indiana Pacers
LA Lakers – Golden State Warriors
Later:
Brooklyn Nets – Charlotte Hornets
Orlando Magic – Portland Trail Blazers
Houston Rockets – San Antonio Spurs
Oklahoma City Thunder – Utah Jazz
Boston Celtics – New York Knicks
Washington Wizards – Milwaukee Bucks
LA Clippers – Memphis Grizzlies
