The NBA's Christmas quintuple-header ended with the Dallas Mavericks beating the Phoenix Suns, taking a short break, and then beating them again.
The Mavericks won 128-114, Luka Doncic had 50 points and 15 assists to complete a five-game Christmas slate, the New York Knicks beat the Milwaukee Bucks, the Denver Nuggets topped the Golden State Warriors, Boston Celtics. The Los Angeles Lakers and Miami Heat swept the Philadelphia 76ers.
Not as classic a game as some previous Christmases, but the Celtics still managed to make a statement as the best team in the NBA. It's always fun to watch Doncic play in games where he drops haymaker after haymaker.
Here's all the action:
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That would be a huge win for the Suns for about five minutes. Instead, the Mavericks regained their footing and won 128-114. The Suns fell to 14-15 and 11th in the Western Conference and play-in picture.
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Durant with 6 of Phoenix's 15 turnovers
— Matt Petersen (@TheMattPetersen) December 26, 2023
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This is Dallas' 7th Christmas game. Danczyk's 48 points broke his own Mavs Christmas scoring record of 32, which he set against the Lakers in 2022.
Danczyk's 13 assists broke the Mavs Christmas record of 11 set by Steve Nash in 2003.
— Brad Townsend (@townbrad) December 26, 2023
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As expected, Luca reached 10,000 career points tonight. Confirmed by my research @MavsPR/@EliasSportsHe is the fastest among active players & tied for 7th fewest games in NBA history
Wilt 236
MJ 303
Baylor 315
Karim 319
Oscar 334
Kerwin 355
McAdoo 358
Luke 358
Barry 360
LeBron 368— Mark Followill (@MFollowill) December 26, 2023
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The Suns forced the Mavs to run 4-on-3s more often. Tim Hardaway Jr. hit a 3-pointer to extend the lead to 113-106 with 5:16 left to play.
— Grant Afseth (@GrantAfseth) December 26, 2023
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The Mavs have limited Durant to 16 and Booker to 14, which is pretty good until you realize Grayson Allen has 30 and Matt has 21.
— Brad Townsend (@townbrad) December 26, 2023
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Luka Doncic now has 17 regular season games with 40+ points and 10+ assists, tying Russell Westbrook for 4th in NBA history. Only Oscar Robertson (46), James Hartney (31) and Tiny Archibald (23) have more.
— Grant Afseth (@GrantAfseth) December 26, 2023
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Luka Doncic and Grayson Allen both have eight 3-pointers. Luke 14 tries, Alan 15. There will be no shortage of entertainment in this Christmas Day final. The score was down 102-101 with nine minutes to go.
— Eddie Sefko (@ESefko) December 26, 2023
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The Suns played Book and KD throughout the 3rd quarter, while Grayson Allen and Eric Gordon led the Mavericks in points (27).
Q Up in the 4th quarter — Phoenix is dead last in points, 3%, and net rating entering tonight. There will be some leg fatigue
— Law Murray ✂️ (@LawMurrayTheNU) December 26, 2023
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The meeting also got action.
A little dust. Of course it will be on Twitter soon. I saw many cameras filming. #Suns Two after Luke 3.
— Duane Rankin (@DuaneRankin) December 26, 2023
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1st Sun enters 4th. Doncic is 38-4-10 on 19 shots. Allan is up to 27.
— Kellan Olson (@KellanOlson) December 26, 2023
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This game sucks.
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Booker fouled Williams, which briefly put Williams on the floor.
Next down, Williams tries to run a screen by Booker. Booker protests to his face. A kerfuffle ensues.
The ruling was a double technical foul + Williams' initial foul.
— Kellan Olson (@KellanOlson) December 26, 2023
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The Mavericks went to the Grant Williams line 35-20 in the third quarter. The Suns lead 89-84.
— Eddie Sefko (@ESefko) December 26, 2023
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Josh Okogie returned to the locker room after the test. I stumbled a little and looked towards the bench
— Gerald Bourguet (@GeraldBourguet) December 26, 2023
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Booker is doing everything right, reading his penetration over the last 2 quarters, and every one that ends in a foul play scares him. Not one to show his frustration at those events on the floor, but tonight there are some.
— Kellan Olson (@KellanOlson) December 26, 2023
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