Kevin Durant propelled the Phoenix Suns to a thrilling 123-112 victory against the Cleveland Cavaliers, scoring 42 points, alongside 6 assists and 8 rebounds. This win marked the Suns' third consecutive victory, allowing them to leapfrog the Dallas Mavericks for the 10th spot in the Western Conference, which is crucial for the play-in tournament. The Suns capitalized on strong shooting performances, particularly from Royce O'Neale who hit 5-of-8 from beyond the arc, contributing 15 points off the bench. Devin Booker added 17 points and 10 assists.

The Cavaliers, despite once leading the league with a 16-game winning streak, have now lost four straight, falling to a 56-14 record. Donovan Mitchell led Cleveland with 18 points, while Evan Mobley and Ty Jerome each chipped in 16. The Cavaliers will aim to rebound against struggling teams like the Utah Jazz and Portland Trail Blazers in upcoming matchups.