The Dallas Mavericks played the Phoenix Suns on the first night of a road back-to-back on Friday night, playing without Luka Doncic and Dereck Lively II. They were looking to bounce back from their loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves on Christmas Day, while the Suns won their Christmas matchup against the Denver Nuggets.

Phoenix Suns big Jusuf Nurkic sat in a chair in the visiting locker room at Spectrum Center in downtown Charlotte and calmly discussed what’s been happening with him as of late. It's been pretty wild and chaotic.

The Phoenix Suns (15-14) host the Dallas Mavericks (19-11) on Friday, airing on Arizona's Family (Ch. 3 TV) at 7 p.m. This is the first of back-to-back games for both teams, and the second of their three-game season series.

Kyrie Irving scored 20 points, Daniel Gafford added 16 and the Dallas Mavericks won their first game since star Luka Doncic was injured, beating the Phoenix Suns 98-89 PHOENIX -- Kyrie Irving scored 20 points, Daniel Gafford added 16 and the Dallas ...

The Mavericks will open with Irving running the point, two-guard Thompson, forwards Naji Marshall and P.J. Washington, and Daniel Gafford at center. Booker's 39 not enough as Phoenix Suns fall to ...

Suns' big Jusuf Nurkic and Mavs forwards Naji Marshall and P.J. Washington Jr., were tossed with 9:02 left in the third quarter after Nurkic was called for an offensive foul when looking to back down Mavs big Daniel Gafford.

PHOENIX -- Chaos ensued early in the third quarter of Friday night's game between the Phoenix Suns and Dallas Mavericks ... for an offensive foul on Mavs Daniel Gafford at the 9:02 mark of the ...

The end result was three quick ejections and, because the Mavericks' ejectees outnumbered the Suns, a free throw for the Suns, which was made by Kevin Durant. It wasn't a bad trade from the Suns' perspective, as Washington and Marshall are both starters and among Dallas' most important defenders.

The Mavericks defeated the Suns 98-89. Dallas improved to 20-11, while Phoenix fell to 15-15. Kyrie Irving led the Mavericks with 20 points, four rebounds, and five assists. Daniel Gafford followed up with 16 points, five rebounds, and one assist.

SAN FRANCISCO – Phoenix Suns center Jusuf Nurkic received ... called for an offensive foul looking to back down Mavs big Daniel Gafford. Nurkic came high with an elbow. Walking toward the ...

and Daniel Gafford, while Phoenix went with Tyus Jones, Bradley Beal, Ryan Dunn, Kevin Durant, and Jusuf Nurkic. Devin Booker and Grayson Allen weren't playing for the Suns on Friday night.

Daniel Gafford added 16 and the Dallas Mavericks won their first game since star Luka Doncic was injured, beating the Phoenix Suns 98-89 on Friday night. Kevin Durant scored 35 points for the Suns ...