The Phoenix Suns (34-37) took control with strong second and third quarters, rolling to a 123-112 victory and handing the Cleveland Cavaliers (56-14) their fourth-straight loss on March 22.
Phoenix Suns Top Performers:
Kevin Durant 42 PTS | 6 REB | 8 AST | 61.2 FPS
KD remains one of the top scorers in the league, delivering a highly efficient 40-point performance that propelled him into the 13th spot on the all-time made field goals list. This marks his second 40-point game of the season and makes him just the fourth player in NBA history to record multiple 40-point games in his 17th season or later (per @StatMamba on X). He also continues to contribute exceptionally in multiple areas, but he hasn’t been as effective on the defensive end in recent games.
Devin Booker 17 PTS | 2 REB | 10 AST | 33.4 FPS
Booker erupted for 41 points in his previous game but has been less productive today, recording his third performance under 20 points in his last six games and the sixth time this month. However, he was able to compensate with his third double-digit playmaking performance in his last five games. Despite this, his lack of defensive contributions remains a notable drawback.
Tyus Jones 16 PTS | 3 AST | 2 STL | 30.1 FPS
Jones’ scoring has been up and down lately, but he’s been surprisingly effective from three while also contributing modest numbers in other areas. He’s capable of being a strong contributor as long as Beal remains sidelined.
Oso Ighodaro 6 PTS | 13 REB | 4 AST | 24.6 FPS
Ighodaro has become an essential part of the rotation lately due to the team’s struggles in the frontcourt. His heavy minutes today are also expected to continue with two of their big men sidelined. He’s been a reliable rebounder and has also shown playmaking potential.
Collin Gillespie 13 PTS | 3 3PM | 4 AST | 23.4 FPS
Gillespie finally broke through with a solid offensive game after struggling in his previous two. He’s recently been moved into the starting lineup with several players sidelined, but he’s unlikely to see heavy minutes on a regular basis. Despite that, he should still be a decent streaming option in deeper formats.
Cleveland Cavaliers Top Performers:
Evan Mobley 16 PTS | 12 REB | 5 AST | 45.9 FPS
Mobley has been playing at an exceptional level, scoring 15+ points in five consecutive games, including a standout 31-point performance. He has remained highly efficient from the field and has also made some improvements in his three-point shooting though his lack of production at the line continues to limit his overall scoring potential. However, with the team having already secured a postseason spot, it’s highly possible that Mobley could start missing games.
Ty Jerome 16 PTS | 5 AST | 2 STL | 31.7 FPS
Jerome has bounced back from his recent three-point struggles and has remained steady on offense, scoring in double digits in his last five games. He has also been a dependable contributor for assists in four of those five games. However, with a talented roster surrounding him, it’s hard to fully rely on him to deliver at an elite level on a consistent basis.
Darius Garland 18 PTS | 5 REB | 6 AST | 28.0 FPS
DG has posted his typical numbers and continues to show improvement in his rebounding. However, his overall output was held back by a lack of production from the line, steals, and his continuing struggles in turnovers. Despite these, he has consistently made meaningful contributions throughout the month and is expected to maintain his level of production moving forward.
Jarrett Allen 6 PTS | 6 REB | 2 BLK | 19.7 FPS
Allen has still posted solid numbers for his position, but his performance has been too inconsistent this month, with a noticeable decline over his last three games. However, this isn’t the first time he’s gone through this—his performance has seen similar ups and downs in the past, and he’s always managed to recover. The upcoming slate of games also provides him with an ideal setting for a bounce-back.
De’Andre Hunter 17 PTS | 1 REB | 1 AST | 19.7 FPS
Hunter has continued to be an important part of the rotation, but his scoring has been highly inconsistent lately, with his point totals alternating between 15+ points and single digits over the last seven games. His limited role as a scorer has been a major factor in this erratic play, and with the Cavaliers boasting such a deep roster, it’s likely this trend will continue. Additionally, his contributions in multiple areas have also seen a decline.
Biggest Disappointment of the Game:
Donovan Mitchell 7 PTS | 3 AST | 2 STL
Mitchell endured a miserable shooting performance, finishing 2-for-18 from the field and missing all 8 of his three-point attempts. His recent struggles have been hard to overlook, with three games where he shot under 30% and two where he shot just slightly above the mark in his last six outings. His three-point shooting has been very problematic, shooting 1-for-6 or worse in seven of his eight games this month. Despite these challenges, Mitchell has remained an impactful contributor in other areas and with a softer schedule coming up, he has a great opportunity to regain his rhythm and turn things around.
