CLEVELAND (AP) — The Cleveland Cavaliers delivered yet another emphatic performance, defeating the Phoenix Suns 118-92 on Martin Luther King Jr. Day. The Cavs showcased their dominance, improving their NBA-leading record to 36-6 and extending their remarkable home record to 21-2.
Donovan Mitchell was the star of the show, scoring 33 points, with 23 of them coming from the second half alone. Darius Garland also contributed to the scoreline with 16 points as the Cavaliers began the unofficial second half of the season on a high note.
The victory was significant, particularly after the Cavaliers opened their season with 15 straight wins — a feat only matched by the eighth-best start in NBA history. The Cavaliers have become the force to reckon with, holding the best record and consistently proving their caliber with each game.
This matchup saw the Cavaliers working hard to make up for their last encounter with the Suns, which ended in defeat for Cleveland. On April 3, 2024, they suffered a harsh 122-101 loss, but this time, they flipped the script effectively.
The Cavaliers delivered their strong performance even with key rotational players sidelined. Evan Mobley, who could be on track for his first All-Star appearance, was out due to calf soreness, along with Isaac Okoro (shoulder) and Caris LeVert (wrist). Despite these absences, Cleveland’s depth shone through, with Jarrett Allen making his contributions on both ends of the court—scoring 12 points and providing solid defense.
On the Suns’ end, Kevin Durant led his team with 23 points. But their attempts to push back against the Cavaliers’ momentum fell short, as the Suns struggled to get going offensively. Devin Booker, who has been enjoying his best month of the season, found himself off his game and scored only 15 points—10 below his average—while dealing with six turnovers.
The first half concluded with the Cavaliers leading comfortably, setting the tone for the remainder of the game. The Suns attempted to rally during the second half but watched as Mitchell sank consecutive three-pointers within 36 seconds, pushing Cleveland's lead to 93-70 and effectively sealing their fate.
Garland's first three-pointer of the game marked the 803rd of his career, surpassing the legendary Mark Price on the all-time list for the franchise, now only behind LeBron James and Kevin Love.
The Cavaliers now look forward to their next challenge, facing the Houston Rockets, as they continue to build on their impressive season. Meanwhile, the Suns will have to refocus as they head to Brooklyn for their upcoming game.
Cleveland's resilience and ability to perform under pressure solidifies them as serious contenders this season, and they demonstrated just how potent they can be, regardless of the lineup. The question now remains: Can they maintain this high level of performance throughout the rest of the season?