PHOENIX — Suns Shine in Key Victory Against Cavaliers

In the closing minutes of Friday night’s game, Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker, anticipating the help defender, leapt off his left foot and delivered a pass to Kevin Durant, who was moving to the opposite wing. Despite losing his balance in mid-air and landing awkwardly, Booker relaxed on his back with legs spread and head slightly raised, viewing Durant across the court—a familiar sight for Suns fans.

“That’s a good angle,” Booker remarked. “I haven’t seen someone shoot from that angle before. It was nice.” This pose echoed a similar moment from the 2020 bubble season when Booker hit a fading, off-balance shot at the buzzer against the Clippers, witnessing it swish from the same position in Friday’s victory over Cleveland.

Although the Suns did not make the playoffs that year, they concluded the season positively with eight straight wins, instilling optimism. Fast forward nearly five years, and Phoenix is striving to recapture that momentum. Their triumph over the Cavaliers (now 56-14) marks a significant achievement, as it’s their first win against a title contender this season.

Durant’s 3-pointer, assisted by Booker, punctuated the night, securing the Suns (34-37) their third consecutive victory, maintaining their 10th position in a tight Western Conference playoff race. While the Suns face a daunting schedule ahead, they exhibit newfound energy and confidence.

Facing the top Eastern Conference team, the Suns started with a unique lineup featuring Booker, Durant, second-year point guard Collin Gillespie, and rookies Ryan Dunn and Oso Ighodaro, as several key players sat out due to injuries. Remarkably, they never trailed the Cavaliers after the first quarter and even established a lead of up to 21 points while successfully containing star guard Donovan Mitchell.

This surge in energy is palpable, transitioning from “The Big Three” to “The Active Three.” Ighodaro (who recorded a career-high 13 rebounds) and Dunn contributed significantly, showcasing a new defensive intensity that has been absent for much of the season. The Suns now rank 10th in the league for defensive rating, highlighting their improved performance.

In discussing this shift, Booker emphasized chemistry and teamwork as crucial factors, attributing their success to the rookies’ contributions. As they gear up for future challenges, they are keenly aware of the uphill battle ahead, but remain determined to sustain this newfound purpose. “Every game is going to be a battle at this point,” Booker noted. “We’re going to have to sustain what we’re doing now. There’s going to be rough parts. We’re still going to have to stick together.”