The Suns finish their 12-game stretch all against the East going 8-4. 5-1 in 6 home games, 3-3 during the 6-game road trip. Losses at Miami, Detroit, and Atlanta, and a loss in the first game back home to Miami again. Wins against the East first seed, second seed (twice), fifth and sixth seeds.
Honestly, apart from struggling a little against Miami, this weird little blip in the NBA schedule ended up going really well. The team managed to recover from losing Booker halfway through, won both ends of a couple of back-to-backs, and overall just played with the level of resilience that has become its hallmark.
At some point I might even have to stop being surprised when they win games that it feels like they should lose. It's not a fluke. This is a good team.
Game Day: Cavs (29-20) @ Suns (29-19), Fri 1/30/26
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Re: Game Day: Cavs (29-20) @ Suns (29-19), Fri 1/30/26
This was a great play:
Synchronicity and all that jazz, man.
Re: Game Day: Cavs (29-20) @ Suns (29-19), Fri 1/30/26
Another quality win, especially on a B2B after the Pistons. We didn't look past this one or have a letdown which shows how locked in this team is. This team has been relentless the past few games, maybe even had the Pistons and Cavs circled on the calendar. Both games were similar - did a good job making Mitchell's life hell, Cavs got some easy looks inside with Allen while Merrill, Hunter and Tyson shook loose for some 3s but the Cavs never really put together a run. I don't think the Pistons or Cavs were ready for our energy and intensity.
Our starters really clicked in the 2nd half and Green came off the bench to give us some quick offense. He took a bad spill but looked good after, hitting two 3s that extended the lead. Oso, Bouyea and Goodie gave us good minutes off the bench again. Oso's been one of our best, most consistent players lately.
Our starters really clicked in the 2nd half and Green came off the bench to give us some quick offense. He took a bad spill but looked good after, hitting two 3s that extended the lead. Oso, Bouyea and Goodie gave us good minutes off the bench again. Oso's been one of our best, most consistent players lately.
Re: Game Day: Cavs (29-20) @ Suns (29-19), Fri 1/30/26
This was a great win. This B2B pair of wins against Detroit and now Cleveland is maybe our best 1-2 set of wins of the season taken together, given the degree of difficulty and the absence of Booker. I honestly didn't think the team had it in themselves to keep this much of their composure without their star, and it's been great to see.
Brooks was the standout again offensively with 27, but I also thought all our other guards and swings like Grayson, CG, and Royce played great. Goodwin was awesome off the bench; when his shot is falling (5-8 from 3 in this game) he is a huge asset.
I thought Jalen Green looked pretty good, too; a little tentative since he's just coming back, and can the man please have one game where he doesn't scare us with some kind of fall or limp or potential injury?, but I like the way he integrates into the offense as a primary scorer and driver to the basket. Helps take pressure off Brooks to make something happen on broken offensive plays.
Maybe the only downside was the way the bench players failed to hold the lead in the 4th. We were up by nearly 30 and then they let Cleveland back to almost within 10 points. They seemed to have a bunch of trouble with pressure defenses and turned the ball over a bunch. My man BOUYEA and Livers and others seemed to just cough the ball up a bunch trying to get up the floor. So I hope Ott works on that with them; we need to be able to put those guys out there against other teams' end-of-benches and have them mostly manage the game and hold the lead. But I was happy to see that no player played more than 27 minutes (Grayson) and most of the guys I mentioned above were in the 22-24 range. To do that against one of the best teams in the East on a B2B without Booker is just unreal.
I thought we were headed for a bit of a swoon without Book, but the team has really taken this as a challenge to hold it together while he is out. I love to see it. Shows a lot about the toughness and character of this team. We are for real.
Brooks was the standout again offensively with 27, but I also thought all our other guards and swings like Grayson, CG, and Royce played great. Goodwin was awesome off the bench; when his shot is falling (5-8 from 3 in this game) he is a huge asset.
I thought Jalen Green looked pretty good, too; a little tentative since he's just coming back, and can the man please have one game where he doesn't scare us with some kind of fall or limp or potential injury?, but I like the way he integrates into the offense as a primary scorer and driver to the basket. Helps take pressure off Brooks to make something happen on broken offensive plays.
Maybe the only downside was the way the bench players failed to hold the lead in the 4th. We were up by nearly 30 and then they let Cleveland back to almost within 10 points. They seemed to have a bunch of trouble with pressure defenses and turned the ball over a bunch. My man BOUYEA and Livers and others seemed to just cough the ball up a bunch trying to get up the floor. So I hope Ott works on that with them; we need to be able to put those guys out there against other teams' end-of-benches and have them mostly manage the game and hold the lead. But I was happy to see that no player played more than 27 minutes (Grayson) and most of the guys I mentioned above were in the 22-24 range. To do that against one of the best teams in the East on a B2B without Booker is just unreal.
I thought we were headed for a bit of a swoon without Book, but the team has really taken this as a challenge to hold it together while he is out. I love to see it. Shows a lot about the toughness and character of this team. We are for real.
Re: Game Day: Cavs (29-20) @ Suns (29-19), Fri 1/30/26
I hope this turns into a positive and helps the guys to not get too happy on the farm. Let's them know they still have work to do and it's another area to improve upon. I like that coach Ott's philosophy is to continue to try to get a little better with each passing day. His practice sessions seem to be incredible and this team, man, is a real team! They play for each other and want to continue to get better and believe in their coach.Mori Chu wrote: ↑Sat Jan 31, 2026 7:12 amMaybe the only downside was the way the bench players failed to hold the lead in the 4th. We were up by nearly 30 and then they let Cleveland back to almost within 10 points. They seemed to have a bunch of trouble with pressure defenses and turned the ball over a bunch. My man BOUYEA and Livers and others seemed to just cough the ball up a bunch trying to get up the floor. So I hope Ott works on that with them; we need to be able to put those guys out there against other teams' end-of-benches and have them mostly manage the game and hold the lead. But I was happy to see that no player played more than 27 minutes (Grayson) and most of the guys I mentioned above were in the 22-24 range. To do that against one of the best teams in the East on a B2B without Booker is just unreal.
Synchronicity and all that jazz, man.
Re: Game Day: Cavs (29-20) @ Suns (29-19), Fri 1/30/26
Yeah, there was a recent AZSports article about how connected Oso and Gillespie are.
Synchronicity and all that jazz, man.
Re: Game Day: Cavs (29-20) @ Suns (29-19), Fri 1/30/26
Synchronicity and all that jazz, man.
Re: Game Day: Cavs (29-20) @ Suns (29-19), Fri 1/30/26
I still don't know what Atkinson was so hot about. I don't think we did anything "circus"-like in that game.
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Re: Game Day: Cavs (29-20) @ Suns (29-19), Fri 1/30/26
From the Cleveland Plain Dealer beat reporter ...
PHOENIX — There was a number that led to the Cavs’ collective anger on Friday night.
One.
As in the number of free throws Cleveland attempted through the first three quarters of a streak-snapping 126-113 loss to the Phoenix Suns. As the game progressed, Cavs coach Kenny Atkinson kept holding one finger in the air to let the officials know.
That’s all he was thinking when he unleashed his frustration at the 10:59 mark of the fourth quarter, earning his second technical foul and an ejection with his team trailing by 24 points.
“We had one free throw after three quarters against a team that [is 26th in fouls],” Atkinson said following the loss. “And the second free throw we got was after a flop. I’m not pleased. I thought the game got out of hand, quite honestly. Parts of the game seemed circus-like, quite honestly. I don’t know if that’s what we want as a league.
“Certain characters in this league take liberties and we don’t stand up to them and the game turns into reviews, challenges, go to the monitor for 20 minutes when we’re just trying to play basketball. I don’t think it’s good for the league and I know it wasn’t good for us tonight. Thought they let the game get out of hand.”
Atkinson’s first T came much earlier — with about four minutes remaining in the first quarter, as he became irate over how the game was being officiated.
Even after being pulled away from the officiating crew — Mitchell Ervin, Nate Green and Michael Smith — Atkinson implored the trio to call the game the same at both ends. According to Atkinson, that didn’t happen.
“I sensed it early,” Atkinson explained. “I got an early technical to try to slow it down. Shocked. One free throw after three quarters as aggressive as they were playing, we knew they were going to play super physical, but you have to blow your whistle, and you have to be fair about it.”
The Cavs committed eight turnovers in the first quarter. Then had eight more miscues in the second quarter. By the end of a mistake-filled night, Cleveland coughed the ball up 22 times, the most in any game this season.
“Some of it was a lack of focus. Some of it was their pressure. Some of it was their fouling,” Atkinson said. “It was a mix of everything.”
Atkinson finally reached his breaking point early in the fourth quarter.
Miffed about a no-call as Sam Merrill attempted to drive against Suns pest Collin Gillespie, Atkinson angrily stomped onto the court, bumped into one of the referees, shouted in his face and got tossed, escorted to the locker room by team security.
“Sam dribbles the ball by Gillespie, and he has two hands on him. In basketball, you’re supposed to move your feet to stay in front,” Atkinson quipped. “Is what it is. All that being said, they were the better team and played much better.”
So, what about the bump with the official?
“I think that was incidental,” Atkinson said when asked. “There was no intention. I think we touched. I wouldn’t say bumped. I’d argue with you on that.”
In what was an emotional game, with jawing back and forth, multiple reviews for hostile acts and a brief dust-up between Phoenix villain Dillon Brooks and Cleveland youngster Nae’Qwan Tomlin, the Cavs finished with four technicals. Two from Atkinson. One apiece issued to Donovan Mitchell and reserve swingman De’Andre Hunter.
A typically mild-mannered Mitchell admitted after the game that he nearly lost his cool again at one point in the second half and came close to being ejected.
“I’m trying to say this without losing money here,” Mitchell said. “I agree with my head coach. It’s a credit to [the Suns]. We didn’t really have it. It’s tough when you’re trying to drive and you’re getting grabbed. At some point, I deserve a few calls, but I didn’t get them. When you’re about to do certain things, it changes the course of the game. I want to make it known that I’m not using it as an excuse. They did their part and we didn’t.”
“I don’t really like talking about referees,” Hunter added. “That’s out of our control. They’re going to make calls. I feel like they were talking a lot and I said one thing and got a tech. I’m not sure what triggered me getting a tech. I’m a guy who usually doesn’t say much, but I feel like me just saying something one time and getting a tech is crazy.”
In all, during a game where the refs mostly swallowed the whistle and allowed plenty of contact both ways, the Cavs were called for 17 fouls while the Suns were whistled for 19 — both teams committing fewer than their season averages.
Cleveland ended with 11 total free-throws attempts — but only two when the game was still sort of being decided. The Suns shot 18 freebies.
“Just try to match the physicality,” Hunter said. “It’s difficult when it’s not ... never mind. Just try to match the physicality. That’s all.”
In many respects, Atkinson expected this when he entered Mortgage Matchup Center Friday night. A little more than an hour before tipoff, Atkinson raved about the Suns’ pesky, rugged play style.
He even went as far as to label Phoenix the “hardest playing team in the NBA,” crediting his protégé and former Cleveland assistant Jordan Ott who took over as Phoenix head coach this past summer. Atkinson, who also singled out Brooks as the Suns’ spark, said if the Cavs didn’t come out ready, with the requisite juice, it could be a long night.
It certainly was.
In Atkinson’s case, about 11 minutes shorter than it could’ve been.
PHOENIX — There was a number that led to the Cavs’ collective anger on Friday night.
One.
As in the number of free throws Cleveland attempted through the first three quarters of a streak-snapping 126-113 loss to the Phoenix Suns. As the game progressed, Cavs coach Kenny Atkinson kept holding one finger in the air to let the officials know.
That’s all he was thinking when he unleashed his frustration at the 10:59 mark of the fourth quarter, earning his second technical foul and an ejection with his team trailing by 24 points.
“We had one free throw after three quarters against a team that [is 26th in fouls],” Atkinson said following the loss. “And the second free throw we got was after a flop. I’m not pleased. I thought the game got out of hand, quite honestly. Parts of the game seemed circus-like, quite honestly. I don’t know if that’s what we want as a league.
“Certain characters in this league take liberties and we don’t stand up to them and the game turns into reviews, challenges, go to the monitor for 20 minutes when we’re just trying to play basketball. I don’t think it’s good for the league and I know it wasn’t good for us tonight. Thought they let the game get out of hand.”
Atkinson’s first T came much earlier — with about four minutes remaining in the first quarter, as he became irate over how the game was being officiated.
Even after being pulled away from the officiating crew — Mitchell Ervin, Nate Green and Michael Smith — Atkinson implored the trio to call the game the same at both ends. According to Atkinson, that didn’t happen.
“I sensed it early,” Atkinson explained. “I got an early technical to try to slow it down. Shocked. One free throw after three quarters as aggressive as they were playing, we knew they were going to play super physical, but you have to blow your whistle, and you have to be fair about it.”
The Cavs committed eight turnovers in the first quarter. Then had eight more miscues in the second quarter. By the end of a mistake-filled night, Cleveland coughed the ball up 22 times, the most in any game this season.
“Some of it was a lack of focus. Some of it was their pressure. Some of it was their fouling,” Atkinson said. “It was a mix of everything.”
Atkinson finally reached his breaking point early in the fourth quarter.
Miffed about a no-call as Sam Merrill attempted to drive against Suns pest Collin Gillespie, Atkinson angrily stomped onto the court, bumped into one of the referees, shouted in his face and got tossed, escorted to the locker room by team security.
“Sam dribbles the ball by Gillespie, and he has two hands on him. In basketball, you’re supposed to move your feet to stay in front,” Atkinson quipped. “Is what it is. All that being said, they were the better team and played much better.”
So, what about the bump with the official?
“I think that was incidental,” Atkinson said when asked. “There was no intention. I think we touched. I wouldn’t say bumped. I’d argue with you on that.”
In what was an emotional game, with jawing back and forth, multiple reviews for hostile acts and a brief dust-up between Phoenix villain Dillon Brooks and Cleveland youngster Nae’Qwan Tomlin, the Cavs finished with four technicals. Two from Atkinson. One apiece issued to Donovan Mitchell and reserve swingman De’Andre Hunter.
A typically mild-mannered Mitchell admitted after the game that he nearly lost his cool again at one point in the second half and came close to being ejected.
“I’m trying to say this without losing money here,” Mitchell said. “I agree with my head coach. It’s a credit to [the Suns]. We didn’t really have it. It’s tough when you’re trying to drive and you’re getting grabbed. At some point, I deserve a few calls, but I didn’t get them. When you’re about to do certain things, it changes the course of the game. I want to make it known that I’m not using it as an excuse. They did their part and we didn’t.”
“I don’t really like talking about referees,” Hunter added. “That’s out of our control. They’re going to make calls. I feel like they were talking a lot and I said one thing and got a tech. I’m not sure what triggered me getting a tech. I’m a guy who usually doesn’t say much, but I feel like me just saying something one time and getting a tech is crazy.”
In all, during a game where the refs mostly swallowed the whistle and allowed plenty of contact both ways, the Cavs were called for 17 fouls while the Suns were whistled for 19 — both teams committing fewer than their season averages.
Cleveland ended with 11 total free-throws attempts — but only two when the game was still sort of being decided. The Suns shot 18 freebies.
“Just try to match the physicality,” Hunter said. “It’s difficult when it’s not ... never mind. Just try to match the physicality. That’s all.”
In many respects, Atkinson expected this when he entered Mortgage Matchup Center Friday night. A little more than an hour before tipoff, Atkinson raved about the Suns’ pesky, rugged play style.
He even went as far as to label Phoenix the “hardest playing team in the NBA,” crediting his protégé and former Cleveland assistant Jordan Ott who took over as Phoenix head coach this past summer. Atkinson, who also singled out Brooks as the Suns’ spark, said if the Cavs didn’t come out ready, with the requisite juice, it could be a long night.
It certainly was.
In Atkinson’s case, about 11 minutes shorter than it could’ve been.
A fun team to watch again. A trade or two away from being a serious contender...
Re: Game Day: Cavs (29-20) @ Suns (29-19), Fri 1/30/26
Refs finally letting us play physical. Our rep has officially changed. I wish they’d call games like this all the time.
Atkinson talks about not wanting it to get circus like with fouls and reviews, but then complains about not getting fouls. Fans don’t want to see fouls, so lack of fts is a good thing. He’s kinda contradicting himself.
I get being frustrated with Brooks though. I can’t imagine he’s a good experience for anyone with the opposing team. He did flop(and has flopped twice recently now) and I’m not sure I like that development.
Atkinson talks about not wanting it to get circus like with fouls and reviews, but then complains about not getting fouls. Fans don’t want to see fouls, so lack of fts is a good thing. He’s kinda contradicting himself.
I get being frustrated with Brooks though. I can’t imagine he’s a good experience for anyone with the opposing team. He did flop(and has flopped twice recently now) and I’m not sure I like that development.
Re: Game Day: Cavs (29-20) @ Suns (29-19), Fri 1/30/26
Love it!!!
Finally, the Suns are getting a reputation and are on the other side of it. What a change in culture! So funny what Atkinson had to say about the Suns before the game and how the tone changed after the game.
First he's complimenting Brooks and the Suns defense and then afterwards he's calling out Brooks (without saying his name) and complaining about us getting away with too much.
Finally, the Suns are getting a reputation and are on the other side of it. What a change in culture! So funny what Atkinson had to say about the Suns before the game and how the tone changed after the game.
First he's complimenting Brooks and the Suns defense and then afterwards he's calling out Brooks (without saying his name) and complaining about us getting away with too much.Synchronicity and all that jazz, man.
Re: Game Day: Cavs (29-20) @ Suns (29-19), Fri 1/30/26
That's fine to call out Brooks' flopping but so did the Cavs and they didn't get called for it. Brooks is the one that brought it to the refs' attention and they called it on him as a lesson.Split T wrote: ↑Sun Feb 01, 2026 10:35 amRefs finally letting us play physical. Our rep has officially changed. I wish they’d call games like this all the time.
Atkinson talks about not wanting it to get circus like with fouls and reviews, but then complains about not getting fouls. Fans don’t want to see fouls, so lack of fts is a good thing. He’s kinda contradicting himself.
I get being frustrated with Brooks though. I can’t imagine he’s a good experience for anyone with the opposing team. He did flop(and has flopped twice recently now) and I’m not sure I like that development.
Synchronicity and all that jazz, man.
Re: Game Day: Cavs (29-20) @ Suns (29-19), Fri 1/30/26
The Cavs took 48 3s. 18 in the 3rd quarter. If Atkinson wants his team to get to the line, he should coach them better. Maybe have a little chat at halftime about getting to the basket? Maybe call some actual plays? Kenny was hot because he personally lost that game to Dr Ott.
in Ott we trust
Re: Game Day: Cavs (29-20) @ Suns (29-19), Fri 1/30/26
I like it. Doc Ott. It's got those Spiderman vibes.O_Gardino wrote: ↑Mon Feb 02, 2026 7:57 amThe Cavs took 48 3s. 18 in the 3rd quarter. If Atkinson wants his team to get to the line, he should coach them better. Maybe have a little chat at halftime about getting to the basket? Maybe call some actual plays? Kenny was hot because he personally lost that game to Dr Ott.
Synchronicity and all that jazz, man.