CLEVELAND — The Cleveland Cavaliers are riding high with an impressive winning streak, standing at 8-0, an achievement that has significantly bolstered their confidence. They are currently the only unbeaten team in the Eastern Conference, and their sights are set on maintaining this perfect record.
“That’s the plan,” center Jarrett Allen shared, beaming with enthusiasm.
In an exciting matchup on Monday night, the Cavs secured their perfect record with a narrow 116-114 victory against the Milwaukee Bucks, who put up a fight despite being without their superstar, two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo, due to injury.
Darius Garland led the Cavaliers with an outstanding performance, racking up 39 points and showcasing a thrilling duel against Bucks’ Damian Lillard during the game’s final moments. The two point guards delivered an electrifying display of sharpshooting, thrilling the packed crowd at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse.
“It was amazing,” Garland said after the game, highlighting his impressive 7-for-11 shooting from beyond the arc, which included a crucial three-pointer with just 45 seconds left, putting Cleveland ahead 113-111. “I grew up watching Dame. It was super cool playing some one-on-one basketball.”
Cleveland’s success this season stems from a cohesive team effort, and with this latest win, they matched the best start in the franchise’s history. The only other time they commenced a season 8-0 was back in the 1976-77 season when they eventually finished with a record of 43-39 under coach Bill Fitch.
“We’re not thinking about that,” All-Star Donovan Mitchell said, interrupting a reporter referencing the franchise milestone out of concern about jinxing their streak. “I didn’t know that. It’s great. Obviously, you want to enjoy the little things on the road—it’s fantastic to be in this position—but at the end of the day, it’s just eight games.”
Nevertheless, under the leadership of first-year head coach Kenny Atkinson, the Cavaliers have convincingly secured victories, often through different standout players stepping up each night.
“We’ve won in various ways,” Mitchell, who signed a three-year contract extension over the summer, remarked. “What impresses me more than the eight wins is how we’ve done it. Whether it’s blowouts, close games, or comebacks—there’s always someone new making an impact.”
Atkinson has shown confidence in utilizing a deep bench throughout the season. Despite missing key players Dean Wade and Caris LeVert against the Bucks, he still managed to utilize 10 players, including rookie Luke Travers, who made his second appearance of the season.
“It just reflects the belief we have in our group, from top to bottom,” Mitchell commented, recalling his own clutch jumper that defeated the Bucks in Saturday’s game. “It’s about the confidence we share in one another.”
The Cavaliers understand that a loss is inevitable at some point, and while it’s improbable for them to break the NBA record for the longest winning streak at the start of a season—currently held by the 2015-16 Golden State Warriors at 24-0—they are thoroughly enjoying their current success.
“We’re all just locked in,” Garland concluded, emphasizing the team’s focus and determination.