Cleveland Cavaliers extended their winning start to the season on Friday when Evan Mobley scored 23 points and 16 rebounds to lead them past Brooklyn Nets by winning with 105-100 score. Donovan Mitchell contributed greatly, scoring 22 points as Donovan Mobley led his teammates. This win marks only 12th team ever in NBA history to start out an 11-1 start record.
Darius Garland was key in Cleveland’s final quarter comeback, scoring eight of his 20 total points and key free throws that saw them overcome a 14-point deficit at one point of the match. This marked an extraordinary comeback by Cleveland in its final moments of this contest.
A Historical Start for Cavaliers, Nets Face Setback
The Cavaliers’ unprecedented start is drawing comparisons to the 2015-16 Golden State Warriors who set a record with 24 straight wins, a team the Cavaliers famously beat in that season’s NBA Finals. The Nets, despite a solid showing from Cam Johnson with 23 points and notable performances from Dennis Schroder and Cam Thomas, failed to maintain their defensive intensity in the final quarter.
Highlights and What’s Next
Playing on the back of a tight schedule, the Nets struggled to halt the Cavaliers’ offensive momentum, especially in the fourth quarter where Cleveland hit 14 out of 18 shots. Coach Kenny Atkinson, facing his former team, highlighted the motivational boost this matchup provided, particularly evident in Mobley’s near-flawless performance.
One pivotal moment occurred when the Cavaliers successfully cut short the Nets’ advantage with an incredible 10-point rally to change the course of play and pave their path back toward recovery and eventual victory.
Through their win, the Cavaliers inch closer to matching their franchise record of 13 consecutive victories, while Nets look forward to rebounding after this setback in their next matchup.