Devin Booker is having his best scoring month of the season, averaging 28.9 points across nine games in January.
As the league of Suns vs Cavaliers celebrates the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., the NBA is offering a packed lineup of games on Monday. We’re in store for quite the matinee as the Phoenix Suns travel to Cleveland to face the first-placed Cavaliers.
Here are five things to know about Suns vs Cavaliers
- Nick Richards stepping right in: The Phoenix Suns rank 27th in rebounding over the last 25 games. Phoenix acquired a young and skilled center in Richards that was immediately impactful. In his debut with the Suns, he finished with 21 points and 11 rebounds off the bench and may have earned the starting gig from Mike Budenholzer going forward.
- Evan Mobley’s status in question: The Cavs’ big man may be in line for his first All-Star appearance, but calf soreness has him in jeopardy of missing this game. He was pulled in their rematch with Oklahoma City and scratched in their most recent outing with the Timberwolves. His defense, rebounding and new-found shooting touch will be missed if he’s out again, giving Phoenix a big break in the process.
- Devin Booker’s monstrous star to 2025: Booker is having his best scoring month of the season, averaging 28.9 points and 7.3 assists in nine January game while also scoring 30 or more in five straight games.
- Potential adversity for the Cavs: Cleveland is an NBA-best 35-6 entering this game, but it is 2-2 over its last four. The Suns, playing the fourth game in their five-game road trip, seek their third victory. Phoenix has won five of its last six overall, but winning in Cleveland is a daunting task as Cleveland is 20-2 at home this season.
- Durant’s 20-point scoring streak: Booker isn’t the only lethal scorer in Phoenix. Kevin Durant’s buckets keep getting better with time. He’s currently scored 20 or more in 18 consecutive games. He’s hit that plateau in all but two of his 31 appearances this year.
