Basketball can be a cruel game. One night you’re watching Donovan Mitchell drop 35 like it’s a light cardio session, and the next, you’re refreshing Twitter (or X, whatever) to see if Darius Garland can actually walk on his right foot.
That’s basically the vibe as we look at the upcoming Cavaliers vs Phoenix Suns game.
Cleveland is currently sitting at 24-19, which is solid, but they are limping. Literally. Garland just went down with a Grade 1 big toe sprain against the Sixers. If you’re a Cavs fan, you know this "turf toe" saga has been a nightmare since last year’s playoffs. Now it’s the other foot. Honestly, it’s just bad luck.
Meanwhile, the Suns are 24-17 and dealing with their own version of "Who is actually playing tonight?" Devin Booker has been nursing a left ankle sprain, and Jalen Green—who the Suns have been leaning on heavily—is fighting a hamstring issue.
It’s a star-studded matchup on paper, but in reality, it’s a battle of the medical staffs.
The Mitchell vs Booker Scoring Race
When people talk about the best shooting guards in the league, these two are always the lead.
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Donovan Mitchell has been on a tear lately. Over his last seven games, he’s hit the 30-point mark five times. He’s averaging 29.7 points per game this season and shooting a ridiculous 38.6% from deep. He isn't just scoring; he’s carrying the entire offensive gravity of Cleveland while Garland is in and out of the lineup.
Then you have Devin Booker.
Book is averaging about 25.2 points. His numbers are a little lower than Mitchell’s this year, but his efficiency in the midrange remains legendary. The problem is that ankle. He sat out against the Pistons, came back to torch the Knicks for 38 minutes, and now he’s back on the "questionable" list.
By the Numbers: Mitchell vs. Booker (2025-2026 Season)
- Donovan Mitchell: 29.7 PPG, 4.7 RPG, 5.6 APG, 1.5 SPG.
- Devin Booker: 25.2 PPG, 4.1 RPG, 6.5 APG, 0.9 SPG.
Mitchell has the edge in raw scoring and defensive activity this year, especially with his 1.5 steals per game. Booker, however, has become more of a facilitator, racking up more assists as he navigates a Suns roster that has seen a lot of turnover.
Can Evan Mobley Actually Guard Kevin Durant?
This is the matchup I’m actually obsessed with.
Evan Mobley is the reigning 2025 Defensive Player of the Year. He’s 24 now, and his lateral quickness is terrifying for someone his size. We saw some "summer run" footage of these two going at it a few months back, and Mobley was actually holding his own against KD’s jumper.
But KD is KD.
Even at 37, Kevin Durant is still a top-20 player in the league. He’s currently ranked #19 in DARKO DPM (Daily Updated Rating of Individual Performance). He doesn't need to blow past you; he just needs two inches of space to rise up.
Mobley has the length to bother the shot, but Durant has the veteran savvy to draw fouls. If Mobley gets into early foul trouble trying to shadow Durant, the Cavs' interior defense collapses. Cleveland allows 117.5 points per game, which isn't elite. They need Mobley on the floor for all 36+ minutes to have a chance at stopping the Suns' perimeter-heavy attack.
Why the Cavaliers vs Phoenix Suns Matchup Is a Scheduling Nightmare
The Suns are in the middle of a brutal six-game road trip.
They’ve played the Knicks, the Nets, and they still have the Sixers and Hawks on the horizon. Fatigue is real. When you’re at the end of a long trip, those "questionable" tags for guys like Booker and Jalen Green often turn into "DNP - Rest."
Cleveland, on the other hand, is trying to figure out their backcourt rotation without Garland. Caris LeVert and Sam Merrill (who is also dealing with a hand injury) are going to have to play massive minutes.
Recent Head-to-Head History
If you're looking at the betting trends or just trying to win an argument with a friend, the Suns have historically had the Cavs' number, leading the all-time series 72-52.
However, the recent games have been a toss-up.
- Dec 31, 2025: Cavs beat the Suns 129-113.
- March 21, 2025: Suns beat the Cavs 123-112.
- Jan 20, 2025: Cavs beat the Suns 118-92.
It’s almost always the home team that wins these. With the next game being at the Footprint Center in Phoenix, the odds tilt toward the Suns—assuming Booker actually laces them up.
The "X-Factors" Nobody Is Talking About
Everyone looks at Mitchell and Durant. But games like this are usually won by the guys you forget are on the roster.
Dillon Brooks (Suns): Yeah, people love to hate him, but Brooks is averaging 20.9 points over his last 20 games. With Jalen Green out, Brooks has been given a green light that would make most coaches scream. He’s been surprisingly efficient. If he starts hitting threes early, the Cavs don't have enough perimeter defenders to cover him, Booker, and Durant simultaneously.
Jarrett Allen (Cavaliers): The Suns are a bit thin at center with Mark Williams being their primary big. Jarrett Allen is a walking double-double. If Allen can dominate the offensive glass, the Cavs can negate some of the Suns' shooting advantage by simply getting more shots.
What to Watch for If You're Watching Live
First off, check the starting lineups 30 minutes before tip-off.
If Darius Garland and Devin Booker are both out, this becomes the "Donovan Mitchell vs. Kevin Durant" show. That’s still great TV, but it changes the game's geometry. Without Garland, the Cavs lose their primary playmaker, meaning Mitchell has to work twice as hard to get a clean look.
Watch the first quarter "feel-out" phase.
If Cleveland starts doubling Durant immediately, look for Grayson Allen or Dillon Brooks to have big scoring nights. If Phoenix stays home on Mitchell, expect him to try and get to the rim 15+ times.
Actionable Insights for the Game
- Injury Reports: Check the status of Sam Merrill and Dean Wade. If both are out, the Cavs' bench is basically nonexistent.
- The "Toe" Factor: Keep an eye on Garland’s movement if he does play. Turf toe ruins a guard's ability to explode off the dribble.
- Pace of Play: The Suns want to slow it down and play half-court ball. The Cavs need to run. If the score is in the 90s in the fourth quarter, it favors Phoenix.
- Fantasy Tip: If Jalen Green is out, Collin Gillespie has been a sneaky source of assists and threes for the Suns, averaging 13.9 points and 4.7 assists recently.
This matchup is basically a coin flip right now. It’s a test of depth. Can the Cavs' "next man up" philosophy survive without their All-Star point guard? Or will the Suns' veteran star power be too much for a depleted Cleveland roster to handle on the road?
Check the official NBA injury report two hours before tip-off to see if Booker and Garland have been upgraded from "questionable." If both play, this is easily the game of the week. If not, it’s a grit-and-grind battle that will come down to which bench player has the night of their life.
Next Steps: You should monitor the official Cleveland Cavaliers injury wire for the final ruling on Darius Garland's toe re-evaluation before locking in any fantasy lineups or bets. Also, keep an eye on the Suns' rotation; if Jalen Green returns, Dillon Brooks' usage rate will likely drop significantly.