The Suns didn’t just win - they made a statement. In a game that started with questions and ended in a 33-point rout, Phoenix delivered one of their most complete performances of the season, notching their 30th win in emphatic fashion.
And they did it without Devin Booker. That’s the kind of team effort that turns heads in late January and sends a message to the rest of the league.
This one had a little extra juice, too. Suns interim head coach Jordan Ott was facing his former squad, and his team played like they wanted to get him that win. Mission accomplished.
A Team Victory, Led by Dillon Brooks
Dillon Brooks was the tone-setter, dropping 27 points and playing with that trademark edge on both ends of the floor. He was efficient, aggressive, and locked in - the kind of performance that reminds you why he’s such a polarizing but impactful presence.
But this wasn’t a one-man show. Phoenix’s offense was humming thanks to a barrage of threes - a season-high 23 makes from deep - and it came from everywhere.
Jordan Goodwin, who’s been searching for consistency, found it in a big way, drilling five triples and making life miserable for Donovan Mitchell on the defensive end. Royce O’Neale and Collin Gillespie each added four threes of their own, giving the Suns a perimeter punch that Cleveland simply couldn’t match.
Cleveland Struggles to Keep Up
For the Cavaliers, DeAndre Hunter led the way with 17 points, and there were solid first-half contributions from Jaylon Tyson and Jarrett Allen. But Allen, who had his way inside early, was eventually played off the floor by Phoenix’s relentless three-point shooting. The Cavs simply couldn’t keep pace once the Suns started lighting it up from deep - a stark contrast to the last time these teams met on New Year’s Eve.
First Half: Suns Set the Tone
Phoenix opened the game with Grayson Allen knocking down a three, and from there, the tone was set. Jarrett Allen got going early for Cleveland, scoring eight of their first 17 points and dominating inside.
But Suns coach Jordan Ott made some key adjustments - inserting Jordan Goodwin and Oso Ighodaro to stabilize the defense. Ighodaro responded with a highlight-reel block on Thomas Bryant, while Goodwin brought energy on both ends.
Jalen Green, returning from a brief absence, hit a smooth midrange jumper to get himself going, and Grayson Allen stayed hot, adding a steal and layup followed by another three-pointer. Phoenix closed the first quarter up 26-25 and had already forced eight Cleveland turnovers.
The second quarter was where the Suns started to pull away. Goodwin opened with a three, and while Thomas Bryant answered with a pair of his own for the Cavs, Phoenix’s defense kept applying pressure. The Suns racked up steals and turned them into points, feeding off the energy of the home crowd.
Royce O’Neale’s back-to-back threes gave Phoenix an eight-point cushion, and Jalen Green added another triple before halftime. By the break, the Suns led 52-47, having forced 15 turnovers and scored 21 points off them. They also held Donovan Mitchell to just five points in the half - a huge win for the defense, especially without Booker.
Second Half: Brooks Takes Over, Suns Pull Away
Dillon Brooks came out of the locker room in full “Villain” mode, scoring six of the Suns’ first 11 points in the third. He found his spots, hit his shots, and kept the pressure on Cleveland. Mark Williams added a big block on Jarrett Allen and a dunk of his own, helping Phoenix maintain momentum.
Mitchell finally found some rhythm for the Cavs, but the Suns kept answering. Jaylon Tyson and Sam Merrill tried to spark a Cleveland run, but Phoenix was trading buckets and keeping the lead intact.
Then came the turning point. Brooks hit a big shot, Jalen Green nailed a three after a scary fall, and suddenly the Suns were up 17.
That’s when the three-point avalanche really began. Both teams were trading makes, but Phoenix had the edge - and the energy.
The Cavs picked up their third technical foul of the game, and frustration started to boil over.
A brief altercation between Brooks and Nae’Qwon Tomlin led to a stoppage, but it didn’t slow Phoenix down. They closed the third up 97-89 and looked firmly in control.
Fourth Quarter: Suns Slam the Door
The fourth quarter was all Suns. Jamaree Bouyea opened with a block, and the bench unit - led by Gillespie and Goodwin - continued to pour it on from deep.
The Cavs picked up a fourth technical, this time on head coach Kenny Atkinson, who was ejected. By then, the lead had ballooned to 30.
Phoenix never looked back. With the game in hand, both teams emptied the benches, and Suns fans got a glimpse of the rookies and two-way players - always a fun bonus when the win is secure.
Final Thoughts
This was more than just a win - it was a showcase of depth, resilience, and execution. The Suns didn’t have their star in Devin Booker, but they didn’t need him tonight. They defended, they shared the ball, and they shot the lights out.
And for Jordan Ott, it had to feel good. Beating your former team in front of a home crowd, with your current squad firing on all cylinders? That’s the kind of night you remember.
Phoenix is now 30-18, and if they keep playing like this - defending hard, shooting confidently, and getting contributions up and down the roster - they’re going to be a problem down the stretch.