Mavs Eliminate Suns, Advance to Western Conference Finals

5 Key Takeaways from the Game 7 Victory

1. Luka Doncic's Elimination-Game Dominance

Luka Doncic once again proved why he is one of the most clutch players in the league. In Game 7, he led the Mavericks with 35 points, 10 rebounds, and 9 assists, shooting an efficient 12-of-23 from the field. Doncic's ability to create his own shot and make plays for others was crucial to Dallas's victory.

2. Suns Go Frigid

The Suns, who had been one of the hottest-shooting teams in the league all season, went ice cold in Game 7. They shot just 37.9% from the field and 25.9% from three-point range. Devin Booker, who had been averaging over 25 points per game in the playoffs, was held to just 11 points on 4-of-15 shooting.

3. Difference in Approach

The Mavericks and Suns took very different approaches to Game 7. Dallas played with a sense of urgency and executed their game plan flawlessly. Phoenix, on the other hand, seemed to be pressing and never got into a rhythm. The Suns also made several uncharacteristic mistakes, which proved costly in the end.

4. Role Players Step Up

In addition to Doncic's brilliance, the Mavericks got key contributions from their role players. Jalen Brunson had 24 points and 8 rebounds, while Maxi Kleber added 15 points and 12 rebounds. These players helped to ease the pressure on Doncic and made the Suns pay for focusing their defense on him.

5. Mavericks Advance to Western Conference Finals

With their Game 7 victory, the Mavericks advanced to the Western Conference Finals for the first time since 2011. They will now face the Golden State Warriors, who are the defending NBA champions. The series is expected to be a tough one, but the Mavericks have shown that they are capable of anything when Doncic is playing at his best.