Bold takeaway: Cavaliers prove they can win gritty, late-game battles even when their defense tightens around them and the paint dominance becomes a focal point of the matchup. But here’s where it gets controversial: is Cleveland’s surge sustainable if opponents aggressively target the Cavaliers’ ball distribution and free-throw opportunities? And this is the part most people miss: the specific sequence that sealed it shows how Mitchell’s composure and willingness to draw contact in the trenches matters as much as his scoring finish.
In Charlotte, Donovan Mitchell delivered a clutch 32-point night, including 13 points in the fourth quarter, as the Cavaliers overcame a valiant Hornets push to win 118-113. Cleveland’s win streak extended to seven straight, marking a strong stretch with 12 wins in 13 games.
Key performances:
- Jared Allen posted 25 points and 14 rebounds, anchoring the Cavaliers’ interior presence.
- James Harden contributed 18 points and eight assists, providing veteran playmaking and spacing.
- For Charlotte, Kon Knueppel shattered expectations with 33 points, hitting seven 3-pointers to cap an impressive rookie season milestone of 193 made threes, just shy of the all-time rookie record of 206 in 2022-23 (Keegan Murray).
- LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller each scored 18, while rookie Ryan Kalkbrenner added 12 points and 13 rebounds.
The game narrative: Cleveland appeared poised to break the game open after building a 14-point lead in the second quarter. Knueppel heated up late in the first half, hitting four 3s and finishing with 16 points to trim the advantage to six. Charlotte grabbed the lead late in the third quarter behind Knueppel’s continued shooting, setting up a tense fourth.
Mitchell’s late-game surge included a critical foul-line rhythm. He was aggressive enough to get to the free-throw line 13 times, converting 12 of them, and finished with a decisive jumper followed by four free throws in the final 40 seconds to seal the win.
Charlotte faced an injury-related personnel challenge, playing without Miles Bridges, Moussa Diabate, and Grant Williams due to knee-management decisions. That absence pushed Charlotte to lean on younger players in the frontcourt, which contributed to Cleveland’s 50-28 edge in the paint.
Momentum notes: The Hornets have dropped three of their last four after a nine-game burst prior to the All-Star break, underscoring the challenge of sustaining success with a shorthanded frontcourt.
Upcoming schedule:
- Cavaliers visit Oklahoma City on Sunday.
- Hornets travel to Washington for a Sunday night game.
Source: AP NBA recap and coverage
