Mitchell Sparks a Thrilling Victory for the Cavs Against the Suns!

Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell (45) drives around Phoenix Suns guard Tyus Jones in the first half of an NBA game on January 20, 2025, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)

CLEVELAND (AP) — On a bright Monday afternoon, the Cleveland Cavaliers showcased their strength, defeating the Phoenix Suns 118-92. Donovan Mitchell was a star, scoring 33 points, with a remarkable 23 of those in the second half. Darius Garland also contributed with 16 points.

The Cavaliers continue to impress this season, with an NBA-best record of 36-6. This impressive start ties them for the eighth-best record in league history. At home, the Cavs are especially tough, boasting a 21-2 record and 13-1 against teams from the Western Conference.

Even with three key players sidelined—Evan Mobley (calf), Isaac Okoro (shoulder), and Caris LeVert (wrist)—Cleveland played confidently against the Suns. Mobley’s absence was significant, as he normally brings nearly 19 points and almost 9 rebounds per game.

For the Suns, Kevin Durant led the way with 23 points. Devin Booker struggled a bit, scoring 15 points, which was well below his usual performance. He also had six turnovers. Additionally, Bradley Beal made a return after missing two games due to an ankle sprain but only managed five points in 25 minutes.

One of the game’s turning points occurred late in the third quarter. With the Suns attempting to close the gap, Mitchell hit back-to-back three-pointers in the final seconds of the period, extending Cleveland’s lead to 93-70.

A notable highlight for Garland was when he made his first three-pointer of the game, which marked the 803rd of his career, allowing him to surpass Cavs legend Mark Price on the all-time list. Only LeBron James and Kevin Love have made more threes as Cavaliers.

Looking ahead, the Suns will face the Brooklyn Nets on Wednesday, while the Cavaliers will travel to Houston the same night. Cleveland plans to arrive a day early to escape an expected winter storm in Texas.