PHOENIX (AP) — The Cleveland Cavaliers find themselves in unfamiliar territory as they face their first serious slump of the NBA season, having lost their fourth consecutive game. The latest setback occurred on Friday night against the Phoenix Suns, ending with a 123-112 defeat. This loss not only highlights the Cavaliers' struggles but also puts a spotlight on All-Star guard Donovan Mitchell, who had a night to forget.
Mitchell's inability to find the net was staggering; he finished the game shooting 2-of-18 from the field, failing to make any of his eight attempts from beyond the arc. Reflecting on his performance and its impact on the team, he stated, “when your leader ain’t doing s***, this is what happens.” His candidness may have stirred some eyebrows, especially since it prompted his teammates, like Evan Mobley, to defend him. Mobley insisted, “he’s not to blame for everything,” which suggests a deeper understanding and camaraderie within the team.
Despite the rough patch, the Cavaliers, with a season record of 56-14, remain perched atop the Eastern Conference. What's particularly interesting is that there’s still time for them to remedy their recent woes; with just under a month before playoffs, they have the opportunity to recalibrate and reestablish their winning ways.
On the opposing side, the Suns, buoyed by Kevin Durant's standout performance, have now won three games in a row, moving into significant playoff contention. Durant was unstoppable against the Cavaliers, scoring a game-high 42 points, marking the second time this season he has broken the 40-point barrier. He also contributed with eight assists and six rebounds, showcasing his all-around talent.
Durant’s scoring feat on Friday not only secured the win for Phoenix but also made him the 13th highest in career field goals made in NBA history, surpassing Kevin Garnett. Now just 12 field goals away from John Havlicek, Durant is on the cusp of another milestone. Further enhancing his legacy, Durant became only the fourth player to register multiple 40-point games in his seventeenth season or later, joining elite company like LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.
As for the other notable players in the game, Devin Booker added 17 points for the Suns, while Tyus Jones and Royce O'Neale contributed 16 and 15 points, respectively. O’Neale’s shooting from long range, hitting five three-pointers, was crucial in building and maintaining the lead as Phoenix leapfrogged the Cavaliers in the Western Conference standings.
For Cleveland, Darius Garland was a bright spot, scoring 18 points, while both Evan Mobley and Ty Jerome chipped in with 16 points each. However, these efforts weren’t enough to counter the Suns’ offensive firepower and the Cavaliers’ own struggles, particularly from star player Mitchell, who ended up as the team's lowest scorer with just seven points.
The pressure is mounting as the Cavaliers are now two games behind Oklahoma City for the best record in the NBA after their impressive 16-game winning streak came to a sudden halt last week. This downturn in form raises several questions ahead of the playoffs; can the Cavaliers regain momentum, or has the rigors of the season finally taken their toll?
The Suns, presently tied with the Dallas Mavericks for the last play-in spot in the West with a record of 34-37, look to leverage this win as momentum to push through the remaining 11 games of the regular season. They have a challenging schedule ahead, with their next match against the Milwaukee Bucks on Monday night, and every game is crucial as they try to secure playoff positioning.
As the NBA season approaches its climax, both the Cavaliers and Suns confront their own crossroads. The Cavaliers must quickly rally to avoid a slip in standings, while the Suns aim to capitalize on their current winning streak. The next few games will determine how these two teams shape up for the playoffs.
