The Phoenix Suns just delivered a stunning blow to the Cleveland Cavaliers, snapping their impressive five-game winning streak with a decisive 126-113 victory. But here's where it gets even more intriguing: this win wasn't just a fluke—it was part of a back-to-back sweep for the Suns, who have now won three straight games despite missing their scoring leader, Devin Booker, due to a sprained ankle. How did they pull it off? Let’s dive in.
On Friday night in Phoenix, Dillon Brooks emerged as the hero, scoring 27 points to lead the Suns past the Cavaliers. This performance came hot on the heels of his career-best 40-point outing against Detroit on Thursday, where fans were even treated to “Dillon the Villain” T-shirts before the game. Brooks’ efficiency was remarkable—he shot 9 of 14 from the field, including 2 of 4 from beyond the arc, and added 7 of 8 free throws. The Suns’ three-point shooting was equally impressive, with the team hitting 23 of 48 attempts from deep.
But here’s where it gets controversial: While the Suns were firing on all cylinders, the Cavaliers struggled with turnovers, particularly from star guard Donovan Mitchell, who committed eight turnovers despite scoring 16 points. De’Andre Hunter led Cleveland with 17 points, and Jaylon Tyson matched Mitchell’s 16, but it wasn’t enough to keep up with Phoenix’s offensive onslaught. The Suns outscored the Cavaliers 45-32 in the third quarter, effectively sealing the game with a 97-79 lead. Cleveland coach Kenny Atkinson’s ejection early in the fourth quarter only added to the Cavaliers’ woes, as Phoenix extended their lead to a staggering 30 points at one stage.
And this is the part most people miss: Jalen Green, acquired from Houston in the Kevin Durant trade, made his return from a right hamstring injury, playing just his fifth game of the season. In only 15 1/2 minutes, Green contributed 11 points, hinting at the potential impact he could have moving forward. Meanwhile, Jordan Goodwin added 17 points, and Collin Gillespie chipped in with 16, helping the Suns improve their record to 30-19.
For the Cavaliers, the loss drops them to 29-21, but they’ll have a chance to bounce back when they face the Portland Trail Blazers on Sunday night. The Suns, meanwhile, will host the Los Angeles Clippers in what promises to be another thrilling matchup.
Here’s a thought-provoking question for you: With the Suns thriving despite Booker’s absence, is this a sign of their depth and resilience, or is it simply a hot streak that’s bound to cool off? And for the Cavaliers, how concerned should they be about Mitchell’s turnovers, especially in high-stakes games? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
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- The Cavaliers recently spoiled LeBron James’ return with a dominant 129-99 win, fueled by a big third quarter (https://spectrumnews1.com/oh/cincinnati/news/2026/01/29/cavaliers-spoil-lebron-james--return--riding-big-3rd-quarter-to-129-99-romp).
- Cleveland’s Evan Mobley is sidelined again with a calf strain, expected to miss 1 to 3 weeks (https://spectrumnews1.com/oh/cincinnati/news/2026/01/28/cleveland-cavaliers-evan-mobley-calf-strain).
- Mitchell’s 45-point explosion led the Cavaliers to a 114-98 win over the Magic for their fourth straight victory (https://spectrumnews1.com/oh/cincinnati/sports/2026/01/27/mitchell-scores-45-as-cavaliers-beat-magic-114-98-for-4th-straight-win).
