CLEVELAND—In an exciting showdown, the Cleveland Cavaliers secured a 134-124 victory over the Washington Wizards on Friday night, propelled by Donovan Mitchell’s impressive 33-point performance and Evan Mobley’s solid contribution of 27 points. Darius Garland also made a significant impact with 23 points, while Jarrett Allen showcased his skills with a double-double, tallying 12 points and 12 rebounds. This win marks the Cavaliers’ sixth triumph in their last seven outings and reinforces their position as leaders in the Eastern Conference.
On the other side, Jordan Poole shone for the Wizards, achieving a career-high 45 points in a bid to help his team extend their winning streak to four games—a feat they have not accomplished since January 2023. Richaun Holmes also contributed with a double-double, scoring 12 points and grabbing 12 rebounds for Washington, who faced their twelfth consecutive loss to Cleveland.
Despite the Wizards’ disappointing record, the Cavaliers overcame challenges in this matchup. The team recently made a trade, sending regulars Caris LeVert and Georges Niang to Atlanta to bring in guard De’Andre Hunter, which left Cleveland a bit short-staffed for this game. Additionally, reserve guard Sam Merrill was unavailable due to personal matters.
Even though the Wizards saw their three-game winning streak come to an end, the performance indicated potential progress for the team. They are clearly seeking ways to move forward and improve, particularly after a challenging season.
A pivotal moment in the game occurred after a tense back-and-forth filled with 17 ties and 19 lead changes throughout the first three quarters. Mitchell ignited the fourth quarter, scoring Cleveland’s first five points, which included a dynamic three-point play followed by a finger roll. This momentum shift extended the lead to six and prompted the Wizards to call a timeout. From that point onward, Washington failed to regain any semblance of control.
Notably, Poole’s achievement of 16 field goals made from 32 attempts set a new season high for the Wizards. This offensive display came right after Washington agreed to trade their second-leading scorer, Kyle Kuzma, to Milwaukee in exchange for Khris Middleton and AJ Johnson.
Looking ahead, the Wizards will be set to host the Atlanta Hawks on Saturday night, while the Cavaliers prepare to welcome the Minnesota Timberwolves to their home court on Monday night.
