BOSTON — The focus of this game extended beyond the Cleveland Cavaliers’ perfect season and impressive 15-game winning streak. Instead, it provided them an opportunity to measure their progress against the reigning champions, the Boston Celtics.
Donovan Mitchell, who tallied an impressive 35 points, expressed disappointment after the Cavaliers suffered their first defeat of the season, falling short 120-117 to the Celtics on Tuesday night. “This was a wonderful challenge for us, and sadly we weren’t able to secure the win,” said Mitchell. He notably contributed 18 points in the fourth quarter, including 14 consecutive points for the Cavaliers in the game’s final minutes. “It serves as a benchmark for us, but we must not place too much significance on it at this point. Our team will evolve by April.”
The Celtics, who clinched a record 18th championship last spring by defeating the Cavaliers in five games during the Eastern Conference semifinals, began the season as strong contenders to reclaim their title or at least reach the NBA Finals once again. Conversely, the Cavaliers, who secured their first playoff series victory since LeBron James’s departure in 2018, were not perceived as serious contenders.
However, it was the Cavaliers who soared to the top of the league standings this fall, achieving a franchise-record winning streak of 15 games, making them the last team left unbeaten this season. Coach Kenny Atkinson is noted as the first NBA head coach to win his first 15 games with a new team.
“You want to be part of something historic in that sense. But that achievement is behind us now. It was a great streak,” Mitchell shared. “We truly enjoyed this run while playing exceptional basketball, whether by securing blowout victories, narrow wins, or comebacks. It’s always a great feeling.”
He added, “It’s fantastic to be part of this historical moment, and we regret that we couldn’t maintain the momentum. But remember, there are no championships awarded in November.”
During the match, the Celtics unleashed a barrage of 3-pointers, building a substantial 21-point lead. The Cavaliers managed to narrow it down to a two-point game in the third quarter after trailing by nine points with 90 seconds left on the clock. With Boston leading 117-110 and just 25 seconds remaining, Mitchell made a crucial long-range shot, cutting the deficit to four points. After Jayson Tatum, who scored 33 points, made one out of two free throws, he fouled Mitchell during a steal attempt.
Mitchell momentarily stayed down on the court, hoping for the best regarding any potential concussion. He watched the replay post-game and noted that it didn’t warrant a flagrant foul. “I was just hoping I didn’t get a concussion. Looking back at it, I think it was more of a clean play on the ball. His shoulders are bony, and I collided with that,” he explained.
Atkinson took responsibility for not countering the Celtics’ aggressive play, acknowledging their remarkable 3-point shooting as they went 14 for 22 from beyond the arc in the first half, allowing them to establish a 17-point lead. Still, he commended his players for significantly reducing the deficit in the second half. “They shot the ball exceptionally well. That pivotal second quarter created a gap that was challenging to close. We picked up our game in the second half, but it was a bit too late,” remarked Atkinson.
Looking ahead, the coach is eager for their rematch on December 1 in Cleveland. “They are a phenomenal team. We showed some resilience in the second half, but there’s ample room for improvement,” he noted. “We will have another chance to face them soon.”