On Wednesday night, the Phoenix Suns defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers 122-101 thanks to 40 points from Devin Booker and 32 from Kevin Durant.

The Suns may avoid the play-in round if they win six of their next eight games, which has helped them climb to the sixth slot in the competitive Western Conference playoff race.

Following off a 52-point performance in Monday’s victory over New Orleans, Booker made 13 of 25 field goals, including 5 of 9 from three-point range. Durant had seven assists on 13 of 23 shots.

“I believe it’s simply the team’s overall energy, realizing the season and the issues at hand,” Booker stated. “The ball is bouncing around, and our defense is excellent.”

Booker and Durant have each scored at least 30 points in the same game just twice this season. Bol Bol scored 15 points off the bench, and Royce O’Neale scored 17 points, including five 3-pointers.

Over the past several months, the 7-foot-3 Bol has earned increased playing time for the Suns. He didn’t play much in the first couple months of the season, but after the All-Star break, he has been averaging over seven points per game while shooting roughly 60% from the field, including 43% from three-point range.

Every time he steps onto the floor, he grows, according to Durant. He’s becoming increasingly aware of his role, and he makes excellent shots. The main goal is to improve upon these performances and keep becoming better.

Donovan Mitchell of Cleveland slept one night before facing the Suns to alleviate the soreness in his left knee, which had kept him out of action for much of March. With 24 points, the five-time All-Star concluded. Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen each contributed twenty.

We simply need to locate that consistently, according to Mobley. “We just need to put everything together, but there were some good things in there that we can definitely pull from.”

At the half, the Suns led 72-47 and had made 12 of their 18 3-pointers. Before the half, Durant had 17 points and Booker had 19, leading all scorers.

Cavs coach J.B. Bickerstaff remarked, “It’s hard to come back from a first-half deficit of 72 points.” “I was pleased with the boys’ second-half effort. We competed, in my opinion, at a far higher level.

Midway through the third quarter, an Allen layup gave Cleveland a 77-66 lead, but the Suns recovered to lead 98-77 entering the fourth quarter.

If the season ended today, the Suns would not have to compete in the play-in round, but there is still much work to be done. 

The teams who presently hold the fifth through ninth positions in the West, the Mavericks, Suns, Pelicans, Kings, and Lakers, are separated in the standings by just two games.

The Magic and Knicks are just behind the Cavaliers as they fight for the third seed in the Eastern Conference. Since February 12, Cleveland’s record is 11–15.

Due to left hip pain, starting guard Grayson Allen was unable to play for the Suns.

UP NEXT Cavaliers: This Saturday at the Lakers.

Suns: This Friday night, they host Minnesota.