CLEVELAND — The Cleveland Cavaliers maintained their perfect record by defeating the Charlotte Hornets 128-114 in a thrilling game on Sunday night. Darius Garland led the team with 25 points, while Ty Jerome contributed significantly in the absence of Donovan Mitchell, matching his career-high with 24 points.
With this victory, the Cavaliers have made history as one of only four teams to start a season with a remarkable 15-0 record. They join the ranks of the Golden State Warriors (2016), the Houston Rockets (1994), and the Washington Capitols (1949). Notably, the Warriors set an unmatched record by winning their initial 24 games while finishing the season with a 73-9 record.
Supporting Cleveland’s offensive efforts, Evan Mobley recorded 23 points and 11 rebounds, while Jarrett Allen posted a solid performance with 21 points and 15 rebounds. The Cavaliers will be looking to extend their winning streak when they face off against the defending champion Boston Celtics on Tuesday.
Recognizing the importance of rest during the grueling season, the Cavaliers opted to prioritize Mitchell’s recovery. First-year head coach Kenny Atkinson, who is still undefeated with the team, emphasized the significance of maintaining their game plan even without their star player.
For the Hornets, LaMelo Ball was a standout performer, contributing 31 points and 12 assists, with Miles Bridges adding another 19 points to the scoreboard. However, earlier in the day, Ball received a $100,000 fine from the NBA for making an inappropriate comment during a post-game interview after their previous win against Milwaukee.
### Key Takeaways
The Hornets demonstrated resilience during their second game in consecutive nights but struggled to secure defensive stops when it mattered most. On the other hand, the Cavaliers effectively continued their winning momentum even without Mitchell, highlighting the depth of their bench as they progress through the season.
### Key Moments
As the Hornets tried to stay competitive in the latter part of the game, Garland made a pivotal play by passing the ball to Jerome, who made a crucial three-pointer from the corner, marking Garland’s 12th assist of the night with just 2:45 remaining.
### Important Statistics
Cleveland showcased impressive shooting in the first half, hitting 67% (26 of 39) of their shots. Jerome’s contributions also included a career-best matching performance with eight assists.
### Upcoming Matches
The Hornets are set to visit Brooklyn on Tuesday for an NBA Cup game, while the Cavaliers will travel to face the Celtics the same day.
