The Phoenix Suns needed a major bounce back in their home opener against the Dallas Mavericks.

They got it.

Coming off a 123-116 loss to the Lakers on Friday, the Phoenix Suns (1-1) turned around and snagged a much-needed win in their home opener against the Dallas Mavericks (1-0)—114-102. 

The come-back wasn’t easy with Bradley Beal (elbow), Grayson Allen (personal) and Josh Okogie (hamstring) all listed as inactive before the game. 

But contributions from key players like the rookie out of Virginia, Ryan Dunn, who got the start for Beal put up 13 points on 5-8 shooting. 

Another huge performance came from Suns center Jusuf Nurkic—a force on both sides of the ball with 18 points 14 boards and 1 huge block.

“Yeah, he was great, his physicality in the paint, his rebounding, his defense, everything you know,” said Suns head coach Mike Budenholzer at post-game. 

After a competitive first quarter the Suns would outplay the Mavericks in the second quarter, and despite Mavericks point guard Luka Doncic’s 23 first half points, the Suns found themselves up 63-55 at half.

Phoenix would win another quarter as they went into the fourth with a 91-80 lead.

The Suns cruised the rest of the way to a victory—every time it looked like Dallas was going to start a run, it was stopped in its tracks by a bucket.

There was a historic moment in the fourth quarter however, in a 99-90 game, future hall of famer Kevin Durant pulls up for three and connects, raising his career point total to 29,000. 

Achieved by only seven other players in NBA history.

“Quite a tribute to a great generational talent, and I’m lucky to be around him every day,” Budenholzer said.

Phoenix moves to 2-1. 

The Suns are back home on Monday to face the Los Angeles Lakers.