The Cleveland Cavaliers extended their perfect start to the season, thanks to Donovan Mitchell’s late-game heroics in a 114-106 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers on Wednesday night.
Mitchell erupted for 11 of his 23 points in the final three minutes, while also putting up an impressive all-around performance with 13 rebounds and nine assists.
The win pushed the Cavs to 13-0, matching a feat last achieved by the 2015-16 Golden State Warriors.
Mitchell’s closing performance left an indelible impression on teammate Darius Garland, who marveled at his late-game takeover.
“He took over in the last couple of minutes. Throwing down everything, stuff that we’ve seen before. 3s, getting to the rim, making the right plays, getting stops on defensive end and that was the ball game,” Garland told FanDuel Sports Network Cleveland.
Darius Garland heaps praise on 4️⃣ 5️⃣
Garland on Mitchell's big 4th quarter performance to lead the @cavs to their 13th straight win. #LetEmKnow pic.twitter.com/M7bLsktujU
— FanDuel Sports Network Cleveland (@FanDuelSN_CLE) November 14, 2024
The night didn’t start smoothly for the Cavaliers, who found themselves trailing 54-48 at halftime.
Eight turnovers led to 10 easy points for the 76ers, an uncharacteristic slip for a typically careful Cavs squad.
Despite Darius Garland’s strong showing with 25 points and Evan Mobley’s contribution of 14 points and seven rebounds, Cleveland struggled to find their rhythm.
Open looks weren’t translating into points as the team shot just 43 percent from the field and 35 percent from beyond the arc in the first half.
The defensive end presented its own challenges, with Philadelphia connecting on 45 percent of their field goals and 38 percent from three-point range.
The game remained tight heading into the fourth quarter, setting the stage for Mitchell’s stellar finish.
As the pressure mounted, Mitchell showcased why he’s considered among the NBA’s elite, taking command of the game and securing another victory for the surging Cavaliers.
NEXT: Fans React To Cavs' 13-0 Start
