Mavericks are fading fast and Jalen Brunson is nowhere to be found vs. Suns

PHOENIX — Luka Doncic needs some help. I mean 80 points in two nights is not a bad effort, but the Dallas Mavericks are flying home trailing this series 2-0 because they are short one sidekick for their best player.

That reminds me. Whatever happened to Jalen Brunson?

For much of the night, Dallas played better than it did in Game 1, kept the game closer, even held a 2-point halftime advantage instead of a 13-point deficit. But when Chris Paul and Devin Booker went wild in the fourth quarter to break open a tight game, it supplied the best team in the Western Conference with a crushing 129-109 victory.

While Doncic scored 35 points to again lead everyone for both teams, Brunson finished with just nine. He made 3 of 12 shots and one of three 3-point tries while getting into foul trouble in the first quarter for the second time here. In the two Mavericks defeats at Footprint Center, Brunson averaged 11 points and made 9 of 28 shots from the field (32%).

He is somewhere between a non-factor and a negative. And that’s stunning.

For Phoenix, Booker scored 30 and Paul added 28. See how that happens? The two best scorers in the backcourt feeding off each other — works for Phoenix, isn’t happening for Dallas.

It has been hard to reconcile that the Brunson we are watching against the Suns is the same person we saw against Utah. You probably remember him. Scored 41 points in Game 2 to even the series. Had another 31-point game to spark a second Mavericks victory before Luka arrived on the scene following his absence due to a calf strain. In case you’re thinking Brunson’s heroics disappeared after Luka returned, actually they were only diminished. Even with Doncic dominating the ball and the scoring in the final three games against Utah, Brunson always scored at least 23 points and averaged 27.8 for the series against the Jazz.

He was not only a huge reason that Dallas finally put its long playoff drought to rest and advanced to the second round. Most of the discussion generated by Brunson’s play against Utah focused on whether we were seeing him at the finish line here in Dallas. Could the Knicks or another suitor be willing to give him something close to max money to lure him away this summer? Brunson, a second-round pick (33rd overall) four years ago, is an unrestricted free agent.

So, yeah, that guy. Where did he go?

Maybe we’re a little too dismissive of Phoenix as a defensive team, but it seems like the Suns’ focus is trained on Doncic. Certainly they want to do all they can to keep Luka from feeding the ball to open 3-point shooters, but a variety of defenders have managed to keep Brunson in check in this series. He was held to 13 points in the first game, most of the scoring coming in the fourth quarter after the Suns had built a 21-point lead on Dallas. In that game he was 6-for-16 from the field and missed his only 3-point try.

In fact, Brunson did not make a 3-pointer in this series until the opening possession of the fourth quarter, a shot that very temporarily cut Phoenix’s advantage to three points. But the next several minutes belonged solely to Paul — as playoff fourth quarters so often do — and much of it at Brunson’s expense.

Perhaps because Utah’s Mike Conley has been such a nice guy during his 15-year career, we were reluctant to state the obvious, that in the opening round Brunson was playing against a man who was way beyond his prime and had no chance to compete with Brunson at either end of the floor. Regardless, the Suns have plenty of folks who can do exactly that. Booker, while scoring 30 points, seems to particularly enjoy it when he is assigned to slow down Brunson and hound him at the Mavs’ end of the floor.

It was so one-sided Wednesday night that Coach Jason Kidd pulled his starters with 4:41 still on the clock, Phoenix leading by 21 points. It made for a rare extended garbage time showing for both squads but left Dallas no closer to having any answers on how to impose its will on the No. 1 seed in the West.

Home court Friday night will surely help. Doncic continuing to average 40 points per game in this series is probably a must. But the return of the guy we knew as Jalen Brunson in the first round would be huge, too.

1/39Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic (77) reacts after a foul call went against the Mavericks as Phoenix Suns forward Cameron Johnson (23) walks down the court during the first quarter in Game 2 of an NBA second round playoff series on Wednesday, May 4, 2022, in Phoenix, Ariz.(Smiley N. Pool / Staff Photographer)

2/39Phoenix Suns forward Jae Crowder (99) celebrates a basket during the first quarter in Game 2 of an NBA second round playoff series against the Dallas Mavericks on Wednesday, May 4, 2022, in Phoenix, Ariz.(Smiley N. Pool / Staff Photographer)

3/39Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic (77) drives to the backet against Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) during the first quarter in Game 2 of an NBA second round playoff series on Wednesday, May 4, 2022, in Phoenix, Ariz.(Smiley N. Pool / Staff Photographer)

4/39Phoenix Suns fans cheer guard Devin Booker (1) hits the floor after hitting a shot while being fouled during the first quarter in Game 2 of an NBA second round playoff series against the Dallas Mavericks on Wednesday, May 4, 2022, in Phoenix, Ariz.(Smiley N. Pool / Staff Photographer)

5/39Dallas Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd watches from the sidelines as Mavericks forward Reggie Bullock (25) defends against Phoenix Suns guard Chris Paul (3) during the first quarter in Game 2 of an NBA second round playoff series on Wednesday, May 4, 2022, in Phoenix, Ariz.(Smiley N. Pool / Staff Photographer)

6/39Phoenix Suns center Deandre Ayton (22) goes up for a dunk past Dallas Mavericks forward Maxi Kleber (42) during the first quarter in Game 2 of an NBA second round playoff series on Wednesday, May 4, 2022, in Phoenix, Ariz.(Smiley N. Pool / Staff Photographer)

7/39Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic (77) gets past Phoenix Suns forward Cameron Johnson (23) during the first quarter in Game 2 of an NBA second round playoff series on Wednesday, May 4, 2022, in Phoenix, Ariz.(Smiley N. Pool / Staff Photographer)

8/39Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic celebrates after scoring during the first quarter in Game 2 of an NBA second round playoff series against the Phoenix Suns on Wednesday, May 4, 2022, in Phoenix, Ariz.(Smiley N. Pool / Staff Photographer)

9/39Phoenix Suns guard Cameron Payne (15) fights for a loose ball against Dallas Mavericks forward Reggie Bullock (25) during the first quarter in Game 2 of an NBA second round playoff series on Wednesday, May 4, 2022, in Phoenix, Ariz.(Smiley N. Pool / Staff Photographer)

10/39Phoenix Suns guard Cameron Payne (15) fights for a loose ball against Dallas Mavericks forward Reggie Bullock (25) during the first quarter in Game 2 of an NBA second round playoff series on Wednesday, May 4, 2022, in Phoenix, Ariz.(Smiley N. Pool / Staff Photographer)

11/39Dallas Mavericks forward Reggie Bullock (25) dives for a loose ball against Phoenix Suns guard Cameron Payne (15) during the first quarter in Game 2 of an NBA second round playoff series on Wednesday, May 4, 2022, in Phoenix, Ariz.(Smiley N. Pool / Staff Photographer)

12/39Phoenix Suns guard Cameron Payne (15) grabs a loose ball as Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic collides with Suns guard Devin Booker (1) during the first quarter in Game 2 of an NBA second round playoff series on Wednesday, May 4, 2022, in Phoenix, Ariz.(Smiley N. Pool / Staff Photographer)

13/39Dallas Mavericks forward Davis Bertans (44) knocks the ball away from Phoenix Suns center JaVale McGee (00) during the first quarter in Game 2 of an NBA second round playoff series on Wednesday, May 4, 2022, in Phoenix, Ariz.(Smiley N. Pool / Staff Photographer)

14/39Dallas Mavericks center Dwight Powell (7) dunks the ball past Phoenix Suns center Deandre Ayton (22) and forward Jae Crowder (99) during the second quarter in Game 2 of an NBA second round playoff series on Wednesday, May 4, 2022, in Phoenix, Ariz.(Smiley N. Pool / Staff Photographer)

15/39Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic (77) is double teamed by Phoenix Suns guard Chris Paul (3) and forward Jae Crowder (99) during the second quarter in Game 2 of an NBA second round playoff series on Wednesday, May 4, 2022, in Phoenix, Ariz.(Smiley N. Pool / Staff Photographer)

16/39Referee Ben Taylor separates Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic (77) from Phoenix Suns center Bismack Biyombo (18), forward Jae Crowder (99) and forward Mikal Bridges (25) during the second quarter in Game 2 of an NBA second round playoff series on Wednesday, May 4, 2022, in Phoenix, Ariz.(Smiley N. Pool / Staff Photographer)

17/39Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic celebrates referee Ben Taylor signals a 3-pointer as during the second quarter in Game 2 of an NBA second round playoff series against the Phoenix Suns on Wednesday, May 4, 2022, in Phoenix, Ariz.(Smiley N. Pool / Staff Photographer)

18/39Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic defends against Phoenix Suns guard Chris Paul during the second quarter in Game 2 of an NBA second round playoff series on Wednesday, May 4, 2022, in Phoenix, Ariz.(Smiley N. Pool / Staff Photographer)

19/39Dallas Mavericks forward Reggie Bullock (25) knocks the ball away from Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) during the second quarter in Game 2 of an NBA second round playoff series on Wednesday, May 4, 2022, in Phoenix, Ariz.(Smiley N. Pool / Staff Photographer)

20/39Phoenix Suns center Deandre Ayton (22) scores past Dallas Mavericks forward Dorian Finney-Smith (10) during Game 2 of an NBA second round playoff series on Wednesday, May 4, 2022, in Phoenix, Ariz.(Smiley N. Pool / Staff Photographer)

21/39Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban watches from the bench during the third quarter in Game 2 of an NBA second round playoff series against the Phoenix Suns on Wednesday, May 4, 2022, in Phoenix, Ariz.(Smiley N. Pool / Staff Photographer)

22/39Phoenix Suns center Deandre Ayton (22) is fouled by Dallas Mavericks center Dwight Powell (7) during the third quarter in Game 2 of an NBA second round playoff series on Wednesday, May 4, 2022, in Phoenix, Ariz.(Smiley N. Pool / Staff Photographer)

23/39Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban cheers from the bench during the third quarter in Game 2 of an NBA second round playoff series against the Phoenix Suns on Wednesday, May 4, 2022, in Phoenix, Ariz.(Smiley N. Pool / Staff Photographer)

24/39Dallas Mavericks guard Jalen Brunson (13) is fouled by Phoenix Suns forward Jae Crowder (99) during the third quarter in Game 2 of an NBA second round playoff series on Wednesday, May 4, 2022, in Phoenix, Ariz.(Smiley N. Pool / Staff Photographer)

25/39Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic (77) grabs his nose after being fouled during the third quarter in Game 2 of an NBA second round playoff series against the Phoenix Suns on Wednesday, May 4, 2022, in Phoenix, Ariz.(Smiley N. Pool / Staff Photographer)

26/39Dallas Mavericks forward Tim Hardaway Jr. kneels on the bench as he watches in street clothes during the third quarter in Game 2 of an NBA second round playoff series against the Phoenix Suns on Wednesday, May 4, 2022, in Phoenix, Ariz.(Smiley N. Pool / Staff Photographer)

27/39Dallas Mavericks forward Reggie Bullock (25) shoots a 3-pointer as Mavericks forward Maxi Kleber (42) is fouled by Phoenix Suns center JaVale McGee (00) during the third quarter in Game 2 of an NBA second round playoff series on Wednesday, May 4, 2022, in Phoenix, Ariz.(Smiley N. Pool / Staff Photographer)

28/39Dallas Mavericks forward Sterling Brown (0) celebrates a 3-pointer by forward Reggie Bullock with teammates on the bench during the third quarter in Game 2 of an NBA second round playoff series against the Phoenix Suns on Wednesday, May 4, 2022, in Phoenix, Ariz.(Smiley N. Pool / Staff Photographer)

29/39Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic (77) fights for a loose ball against Phoenix Suns forward Mikal Bridges (25) during the third quarter in Game 2 of an NBA second round playoff series on Wednesday, May 4, 2022, in Phoenix, Ariz.(Smiley N. Pool / Staff Photographer)

30/39Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic (77) fights for a loose ball against Phoenix Suns forward Mikal Bridges (25) during the third quarter in Game 2 of an NBA second round playoff series on Wednesday, May 4, 2022, in Phoenix, Ariz.(Smiley N. Pool / Staff Photographer)

31/39Phoenix Suns guard Cameron Payne (15) is knocked backwards by Dallas Mavericks forward Reggie Bullock (25) during the third quarter in Game 2 of an NBA second round playoff series on Wednesday, May 4, 2022, in Phoenix, Ariz.(Smiley N. Pool / Staff Photographer)

32/39Phoenix Suns center Bismack Biyombo (18) fouls Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic (77) during the fourth quarter in Game 2 of an NBA second round playoff series on Wednesday, May 4, 2022, in Phoenix, Ariz.(Smiley N. Pool / Staff Photographer)

33/39Phoenix Suns forward Mikal Bridges (25) dunks the ball on an alley oop from guard Chris Paul (right) as Dallas Mavericks forward Maxi Kleber (42) defends during the fourth quarter in Game 2 of an NBA second round playoff series on Wednesday, May 4, 2022, in Phoenix, Ariz.(Smiley N. Pool / Staff Photographer)

34/39Phoenix Suns guard Chris Paul (3) celebrates with teammates after the Dallas Mavericks called a time out during the fourth quarter in Game 2 of an NBA second round playoff series on Wednesday, May 4, 2022, in Phoenix, Ariz.(Smiley N. Pool / Staff Photographer)

35/39Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic (right) sits on the bench with assistant coach Sean Sweeney (center) head coach Jason Kidd (left) and forward Tim Hardaway Jr. (kneeling) during the fourth quarter in Game 2 of an NBA second round playoff series against the Phoenix Suns on Wednesday, May 4, 2022, in Phoenix, Ariz.(Smiley N. Pool / Staff Photographer)

36/39Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker celebrates after making a 3-pointer during the fourth quarter in Game 2 of an NBA second round playoff series against the Dallas Mavericks on Wednesday, May 4, 2022, in Phoenix, Ariz.(Smiley N. Pool / Staff Photographer)

37/39A Phoenix Suns fans holds up four fingers toward Dallas Mavericks forward Tim Hardaway Jr. (center) and guard Theo Pinson (right) as the crowd chants “Suns in Four” during the fourth quarter in Game 2 of an NBA second round playoff series on Wednesday, May 4, 2022, in Phoenix, Ariz.(Smiley N. Pool / Staff Photographer)

38/39Dallas Mavericks guard Jalen Brunson (13) and forward Davis Bertans sit on the bench during the fourth quarter of a loss to the Phoenix Suns in Game 2 of an NBA second round playoff series on Wednesday, May 4, 2022, in Phoenix, Ariz.(Smiley N. Pool / Staff Photographer)

39/39Phoenix Suns guard Cameron Payne (15) celebrates with NFL wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. after a victory over the Dallas Mavericks in Game 2 of an NBA second round playoff series on Wednesday, May 4, 2022, in Phoenix, Ariz.(Smiley N. Pool / Staff Photographer)