Cavs Return to Winning Ways, Clip Hawks 117-109

*** After dropping two straight, and despite still being shorthanded, the Cavaliers looked like their old selves again on Sunday at Rocket Arena – jumping out to a big early lead and closing the contest strong to take the 117-109 decision and snap their two-game skid.

Donovan Mitchell returned to the lineup, and he made his presence felt early and often – scoring 11 of his season-high 37 points in the first quarter, going 12-for-21 from the floor and 8-for-15 from long-range overall, adding five assists, two steals and a block in the win.

Playing again without Jarrett Allen (finger) and Sam Merrill (hip) – along with Darius Garland and Max Strus, who’ve yet to suit up this season – the Wine & Gold were early aggressors on Sunday, running out to a 16-2 edge while attempting 16 three-pointers in the opening period. 

“We just need to continue to learn each other,” said Mitchell. “It’s not going to be perfect. Our record is 4-3, but we’re not worried or concerned about that. Obviously, when you have DG, Max and Sam out, it’s different. But for us to find ways to continually get better, that’s all that matters to us.”

Cleveland led by 11 midway through the third quarter, but Atlanta clawed its way back to tie the affair at 84-apiece early in the fourth. The Cavs’ heavy-hitters took over from there – with the troika of Mitchell, Evan Mobley and Jaylon Tyson combining for 27 points on 9-for-13 shooting in the final period to seal the deal. 

De’Andre Hunter added seven points in that final period and finished with 19 against his former squad, adding seven boards and three steals. Tyson chipped in with 18 points on the night, drilling five triples in the process. Mobley did most of his work late, and chipped in with 14 points, a team-high eight boards, five assists, three steals and a block. 

Tyson has topped the 18-point mark in three straight outings for the first time in his young career. Mobley came into Sunday’s game as the only player in the NBA with at least 10 steals and 10 blocks. 

“I feel like every game I’ve played – from the first one to now – I’ve learned and grown,” said Tyson. “Obviously, I have a lot more growing to do. But the biggest thing for me is I’m very, very confident right now. And my goal this year is just to stay level-headed, confident the whole way through.”

On the night, the Cavaliers attempted 57 three-pointers, drilling 20 of them. They missed just a single free throw on the night, featured five players with at least six rebounds and handed out 30 assists for just the second time this season. 

Jalen Johnson led the Hawks with 23 points and paced both teams with 13 boards in the loss. Atlanta attempted 35 free throws to just 18 for the Wine & Gold and notched 60 points in the paint. 

*** After being outplayed in both of Cleveland’s recent losses, the second unit performed well in Sunday’s win. 

Dean Wade led the charge offensively, finishing with 11 points on 4-for-9 shooting, adding six boards and four assists. Lonzo Ball added eight points, six boards, three assists and a steal. And Craig Porter Jr. was his usual solid self – grabbing seven boards, handing out three assists and canning both shots he attempted from the floor. 

*** Playing in his 200^th game as a Cavalier, Donovan Mitchell – who has the highest winning percentage of any Cavalier in team history (139-91, .695) – now has six games with at least eight three-pointers, most in franchise history. Mitchell’s 30-point performance on Sunday was his fourth of the season and 75^th of his Cavs career, including 18 of 40-plus and his 71-point magnum opus against the Bulls on Jan. 2, 2023. 

*** The Wine & Gold wrap up their three-game homestand on Wednesday night when they welcome Joel Embiid and the Sixers to town. The Cavs get back on the road, traveling to Washington for a Friday night tilt before returning home to wrap up the weekend back-to-back with a battle against the Bulls at Rocket Arena the following night. The following week, the Cavs travel to South Beach for a pair – taking on the Heat in consecutive contests on Monday and Wednesday night before returning for a six-game homestand.