Kevin Durant put up an impressive 42 points to lead the Phoenix Suns to a significant victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers with a final score of 123-112 on Friday night.
This win not only marked a victory against one of the top teams in the NBA but also propelled the Suns past the Dallas Mavericks for the 10th spot in the Western Conference standings, positioning them for a chance in the play-in tournament.
Although Cleveland initially took an 11-7 lead, the Suns quickly turned the tide with a 16-9 run to take the lead. The lead exchanged hands briefly, but Durant’s performance ensured the Suns went into the second quarter with an advantage.
Phoenix continued to dominate with key plays from Royce O’Neale and Devin Booker, maintaining an 11-point lead heading into halftime.
“Just taking the open ones, knocking them down,” O’Neale shared with the Arizona Republic’s Duane Rankin. “These guys were finding me. You see one, two, three go in, you know, just keep shooting.”
O’Neale contributed 15 points off the bench, showcasing his sharpshooting skills with 5-of-8 from beyond the arc. Booker added 17 points along with 10 assists, while Tyus Jones chipped in with 16 points. Oso Ighodaro secured 13 rebounds, with Durant also making his presence felt with eight rebounds and six assists.
Phoenix played without Bradley Beal due to a hamstring injury, marking his third consecutive absence following an injury in the previous game. The team rallied without Beal, securing their third consecutive win and fourth victory in the last five games.
Donovan Mitchell led the charge for the Cavaliers with 18 points, complemented by strong performances from De’Andre Hunter, Evan Mobley, and Ty Jerome. Despite the loss to Phoenix, Cleveland remains a top contender in the league with a record of 56-14.
Cleveland now looks to bounce back from their recent setbacks as they wrap up their Western road trip with matchups against the Utah Jazz and Portland Trail Blazers.