Donovan Mitchell erupted for 33 points as the Cleveland Cavaliers cooled off the visiting Phoenix Suns with a 118-92 victory in the NBA on Monday.

Mitchell also had five rebounds and five assists for Cleveland, which seemed unaffected by the absences of Evan Mobley (calf), Caris LeVert (wrist) and Isaac Okoro (shoulder). The Cavaliers led by as many as 32 and put on a clinic from 3-point range, hitting 19 of 46 attempts from distance (41.3 percent).

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Cleveland’s Darius Garland chipped in 16 points and seven assists, and Jarrett Allen recorded a double-double (12 points, 11 boards).

Kevin Durant netted a team-high 23 points as Phoenix fell for just the second time in seven games. Devin Booker added 15 points, Tyus Jones had 13 and Grayson Allen totaled 10.

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The Suns got outrebounded 50-34, a disadvantage that was especially prominent on the offensive end, where the Cavaliers grabbed 15 boards to Phoenix’s one.

Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant (35) drives under the basket in front of Cleveland Cavaliers forward Dean Wade (32) and center Jarrett Allen (31) in the second half of an NBA basketball game, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)

Max Strus got Cleveland going in the second half, knocking down a pair of 3-pointers in the first 1:10 of the third quarter to ignite an 11-0 spurt that put the Cavaliers up 70-48.

Durant and Booker kept Phoenix within striking distance by combining for 13 points in a span of just over 5 1/2 minutes to help the Suns cut their deficit to 82-68 with 2:52 left in the third.

However, Cleveland dominated the rest of the period. Mitchell virtually put the game away with two triples in the final 36.8 seconds of the quarter to send the Cavaliers into the fourth with a 93-70 cushion.

After the teams finished the first quarter tied at 27, Cleveland put up the first nine points of the second, with six coming from Mitchell. The Suns didn’t score until the 8:42 mark of the frame.

Phoenix was later within five thanks to a pair of Grayson Allen free throws with 4:50 to go before the Cavaliers closed the first half on a 15-7 run to take a 59-46 lead into the break. –Field Level Media