Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant shared his thoughts on the Cleveland Cavaliers’ zone defense after the Suns suffered a blowout 118-92 loss on Monday. The Suns struggled to generate offense, and Durant pointed out the difficulty of breaking down Cleveland’s defensive scheme.
“It’s a tough defense to score on if you think a shot is going to come open for you without you pressing the issue,” Durant said. “We could’ve drove it a little bit more, but we don’t play against zone every game. We don’t have a zone package yet,” he added, per Duane Rankin.
Despite the loss, Durant led Phoenix with 23 points. However, the Suns’ offensive issues were compounded by 17 turnovers, which led to 21 points for Cleveland. Devin Booker was also stifled, scoring just 15 points while committing six turnovers.
The Cavaliers, now 36-6 and atop the NBA standings, dominated the game from the start. Donovan Mitchell starred for Cleveland, scoring 33 points, including 23 in the second half. Mitchell’s explosive performance helped the Cavaliers extend their lead and secure a commanding win.
Even without three key players—Evan Mobley, Isaac Okoro, and Caris LeVert—Cleveland displayed impressive depth. Darius Garland contributed 16 points and seven assists, and Jarrett Allen added a double-double with 12 points and 11 rebounds.
Tristan Thompson, playing a key bench role, grabbed a season-high 10 rebounds, further helping the Cavaliers dominate the boards. Cleveland outrebounded Phoenix 50-34, including 15 offensive boards that generated multiple second-chance points.
On the perimeter, the Cavaliers’ shooting was exceptional. Cleveland hit 19 three-pointers, shooting 41.3% from beyond the arc. Mitchell and Garland combined for seven of those makes, putting additional pressure on the Suns’ defense.
In contrast, Phoenix struggled with its long-range shooting. The Suns hit 10 three-pointers but shot just 38.5% from deep, adding to their offensive woes. Phoenix also faced defensive issues, unable to contain Cleveland’s perimeter shooting.
Bradley Beal, who returned from an ankle injury after missing two games, had a quiet night. He scored just five points in 25 minutes of play.
Despite the loss, Durant’s insights on the Cavaliers’ zone defense provided a glimpse into Phoenix’s struggles against a top-tier defensive team. The Suns, now 21-21, will look to adjust as they continue to search for consistency.
