The stage was set for the Dallas Mavericks to increase their slim lead over the Phoenix Suns in the Western Conference standings. A Sunday matinee on national television. A matchup between two possible Play-In teams separated by just 2.

In the midst of a miserable stretch of Mavericks basketball in which the majority of the team is out with injury, the patchwork roster has kept it close with another struggling team in the Phoenix Suns, trailing 60-54 at the half of the game at American Airlines Center.

Naji Marshall is a professional American basketball player for the Dallas Mavericks of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He was among those who

Devin Booker scored 24 points, Kevin Durant had 21 points, nine rebounds and eight assists and the Phoenix Suns beat the injury-depleted Dallas Mavericks 125-116.

When the Dallas Mavericks signed Naji Marshall to a three-year, $27 million contract in the offseason, they expected him to bring intensity. And he did just that on Tuesday, going right after LeBron James in a road game versus the Los Angeles Lakers.

Bumped into starting lineup

The Suns are nearly at full strength. The players on Phoenix's injury report are backup guard Monte Morris (low back), Cody Martin (sports hernia) to yet make his debut with the team, and Jalen Bridges (two-way, G League).

The Mavericks were engaged in a tight slugfest with the struggling Grizzlies well into the final minutes of the game. Fans celebrated as two-way guard Brandon Williams and Naji Marshall produced career nights, but the Mavericks couldn’t overcome Memphis’ star duo of Ja Morant and Desmond Bane.

As he sat on the team bench, Dallas Mavericks small forward Naji Marshall appeared both determined and at peace.

The Dallas Mavericks suffered a tough 122-111 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies on Friday night. Despite what the final score might indicate, this was a close game throughout, seeing 14 lead changes and 11 ties. But a 9-1 run by the Grizzlies in the final 2:20 put the game away.

The Suns' season is on the line against the Mavericks on Sunday due to the season series being 2-1 in favor of Phoenix.

Devin Booker scored 24 points as the visiting Phoenix Suns beat the severely underhanded Dallas Mavericks 125-116 on Sunday.