The Phoenix Suns and Kevin Durant will be in full swing when they face the Cleveland Cavaliers on January 20. They have been boosted by two consecutive victories in their recent games. Although both the teams are dealing with some notable injuries.
The Suns, sitting at 21-20, face their own injury hurdles. Jusuf Nurkic is out with an illness, and Bradley Beal is questionable with an ankle injury. It’s fortunate for Phoenix that their top gunners, Durant and Devin Booker, are fit to lead the team. But Bradley Beal’s availability is uncertain. If he plays, he could provide crucial support alongside Kevin Durant, who scored 36 points in their last game against the Pistons. The Suns will need to adapt quickly as they handle these challenges.
Suns injury report at Cavaliers.
— Duane Rankin (@DuaneRankin) January 19, 2025
Bradley Beal (ankle) QUESTIONABLE.
Jusuf Nurkic (return to competition reconditioning) OUT.
Nurkic has been in Phoenix with flu. Wasn't with Suns in Cleveland for Sunday's practice/shootaround.
1 game left on road trip: Wednesday at Nets. #Suns
However, the Cavaliers, boasting a strong 35-6 record, will be missing Isaac Okoro due to a shoulder injury and Evan Mobley, who’s out with a calf issue. These absences could challenge their depth as they look to follow up on their recent win against the Timberwolves, where Donovan Mitchell led with an impressive 36 points.
This matchup at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse could be a test of their depth for both teams. With key players sidelined, the spotlight will be on the remaining stars to step up.
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Kevin Durant Made History Against The Pistons
Durant had a memorable game night against the Detroit Pistons on Saturday. Other than witnessing his favorite NFL team the Washington Commangers, he made a career history. Earlier in the day, Durant led the Phoenix Suns to a hard-fought 125-121 victory over the Pistons.
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He scored 36 points, along with contributing seven rebounds, five assists, two steals, and three blocks in 38 minutes. His impressive shooting included making 8 of 12 free-throw attempts. The significance of Durant’s performance was not limited to the win. He achieved a personal milestone by surpassing NBA legend Jerry West on the all-time free throws made list.
Congrats to @KDTrey5 of the @Suns for moving into 9th all-time in FREE THROWS MADE! pic.twitter.com/DdsmqOBCho
— NBA (@NBA) January 18, 2025
Entering the game with 7,156 free throws, Durant needed just five to move into ninth place, and he accomplished that feat with a total of 7,164 free throws made by the end of the match. This achievement was also celebrated by the NBA on social media, recognizing Durant’s exceptional talent and hard work.
Now, Durant’s current free-throw average of 5.5 per game this season puts him in striking distance of further climbing the all-time ranks. With 41 games left, he is just 76 free throws away from surpassing Dirk Nowitzki for eighth place and 163 behind Michael Jordan for seventh. Given Durant’s consistent performance and dedication, there is a strong possibility that he could break into the top-five list as his career progresses.
