As proposed here yesterday, the Phoenix Suns will indeed face the Dallas Mavericks in their first game of the much anticipated 2022-23 season.
The news was reported by The Athletics’ Shams Charania, with the two teams meeting again less than six months after the Suns monumental game seven collapse that saw the Mavericks advance to the Western Conference Finals.
After blowout Game 7 loss in West semifinals, the Phoenix Suns will host the Dallas Mavericks in the season opener for both teams on Oct. 19, per sources. Luka Doncic and his new backcourt starter, Spencer Dinwiddie, vs. Devin Booker and Chris Paul.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) August 15, 2022
The Phoenix Suns and Dallas Mavericks will renew their rivalry when they meet in the teams’ first game of the 2022-23 NBA season.
The matchup will take place at Footprint Center on October 19, with a slate of games expected on the second day of the new season. Tip-off on October 18 will include the Boston Celtics hosting the Philadelphia 76ers, while the Golden State Warriors will celebrate their ring ceremony night against the Los Angeles Lakers.
This is now the second confirmed fixture for the Suns, with the team travelling to Denver to play the Nuggets as part of a mouth-watering Christmas Day lineup of games.
Despite succumbing to Dallas in the postseason, Phoenix should enter the opening game of the season as heavy favourites. The Mavericks have taken a major hit with the loss of Jalen Brunson in free agency, while the Suns have a rather remarkable recent record against them regardless.
Outside the teams’ dramatic seven-game playoff series, the Suns have won their past nine regular season matches against the Mavericks by an average of just over ten points. Dallas’ last win came with a 120-113 victory nearly three years ago on the 29th November 2019. The two teams have played 168 regular season games throughout history, with Phoenix holding a 20-game advantage as the record sits at 94-74.
A win over the Mavericks obviously won’t make amends for the Suns disappointing and surprising playoff exit, but it would certainly provide an added boost as they set about their bounce back campaign.