PHOENIX, April 17 (UPI) -- Dan Majerle concluded his 14-year NBA career with a victory as the Phoenix Suns defeated the playoff-bound Dallas Mavericks Wednesday night, 89-76.
Majerle, who played his first seven seasons with Phoenix and returned to the team as a free agent prior to this season, had 10 points in his first start since 1995.
Majerle shot just 3-of-14, missing 11 consecutive 3-pointers before sinking one that bounced off the backboard and the top of the rim before dropping through with 24 seconds left.
The Suns called timeout to remove Majerle, who received a standing ovation and blew kisses back to the Phoenix faithful.
Phoenix took the lead for good at 36-35 on a jumper by Penny Hardaway with 5:39 left in the second quarter. The Suns led 55-45 at halftime and by at least 10 points after Shawn Marion scored a basket with 7:50 left in the third quarter to make it 64-54.
Jake Tsakalidis scored 17 points, rookie Joe Johnson added 16 and Stephon Marbury 15 and 13 assists for the Suns, who had lost three straight games and seven of eight. Phoenix (36-46) will miss the playoffs for the first time since 1988.
Dirk Nowitzki scored just six points in eight minutes and fellow All-Star Steve Nash three in seven for the Mavs (57-25), who rested their regulars after learning during the contest that San Antonio had clinched the Midwest Division title and the second seed in the Western Conference playoffs with a win at Utah.
Wang Zhizhi had 12 points to lead Dallas, which is the fourth seed and will face fifth-seeded Minnesota in the first round of the playoffs.
Dallas had a three-game winning streak snapped as Phoenix avoided a season series sweep.
