Suns make late play-in surge with impressive win over Cavaliers

Devin Booker contributed 17 points and 10 assists, Tyus Jones added 16 points and Royce O’Neal knocked down five three-pointers to finish with 15 points. The Suns were shorthanded, missing Bradley Beal along with two centers, Nick Richards and Mason Plumlee. 

This forced Oso Ighodaro into the starting lineup, where he played a game-high 44 minutes and grabbed a team-best 13 rebounds, showcasing his ability to step up in a high-pressure situation. 

Cleveland struggled to contain Durant’s offensive explosion. Darius Garland led the Cavaliers with 18 points, while Evan Mobley posted 16 points and 12 rebounds. Former Suns guard Ty Jerome added 16, while Donovan Mitchell endured a quiet night, finishing with just seven points— his lowest-scoring output of the season.

The win marked Phoenix’s third straight. It is in a tie with the Dallas Mavericks for the final play-in spot in the Western Conference. 

The loss extends a sudden downturn for Cleveland, which has now dropped four straight following a loss to Orlando on March 16, the game that snapped a 16-game winning streak. The Cavaliers still hold a lead atop the Eastern Conference at 56-14.  

Phoenix faces a daunting remaining schedule, but Friday’s win proved the Suns are still capable of competing with the league’s best. 

With Dallas ravaged by injuries and struggling to stay afloat, the opportunity is there for Phoenix to salvage what has otherwise been a disappointing season and make a late push for the postseason.