Donovan Mitchell erupted for a season-high 46 points, steering the Cleveland Cavaliers to a commanding 132-121 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers, while Darius Garland made a successful return in his season debut after offseason surgery. This win marks Cleveland’s second straight and highlights a revitalized offense with Garland back in the lineup.
Mitchell was virtually unstoppable, connecting on 15 of 21 field goal attempts, including 6 of 11 from beyond the arc, and sinking all 10 free throws. He added eight assists, four rebounds, and one steal over 35 minutes, demonstrating his elite scoring and playmaking abilities. His performance followed a 37-point outing against Atlanta, underscoring his hot start to the season and cementing his role as the Cavaliers’ offensive engine in a game where they never trailed.
The return of Darius Garland provided an immediate boost, as he logged 26 minutes in his first action since surgery on his left big toe. Garland contributed eight points and four assists, helping to stabilize Cleveland’s offense and reduce the ‘clunkiness’ noted by Coach Kenny Atkinson during his absence. His presence allowed Mitchell to operate more freely, with Mitchell emphasizing that Garland’s playmaking ‘puts everyone at ease’ by creating easier shots and restoring the team’s offensive rhythm.
Cleveland stormed out to a 30-13 lead in the first eight minutes, shooting 15-of-29 in the opening quarter and hitting seven three-pointers. The Cavaliers’ 132 points represented a season-high, a stark contrast to their earlier struggles without Garland, who missed the first seven games. Atkinson praised the team’s return to ‘Cavs basketball,’ with players settling into their natural roles and the offense flowing more smoothly from the outset.
Philadelphia, playing without Joel Embiid due to management of his left knee issues, mounted a comeback in the third quarter, tying the game at 72 on a Kelly Oubre Jr. three-pointer. However, Cleveland responded decisively with a 13-0 run, fueled by Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley. Allen finished with 24 points and 10 rebounds, while Mobley added 23 points, as the Cavaliers outscored the 76ers 35-15 after the tie and built a 107-87 lead entering the fourth quarter.
For the 76ers, Tyrese Maxey and Quentin Grimes each scored 27 points, but the team could not overcome Cleveland’s offensive firepower or the absence of Embiid. The loss dropped Philadelphia to its second straight defeat, exposing defensive vulnerabilities and the challenges of managing star players’ minutes early in the season. Despite a late surge to narrow the gap to nine points, the 76ers never led and struggled to contain Mitchell’s onslaught.
The victory signals a potential turning point for the Cavaliers, who had ranked among the league’s worst offenses without Garland. His return is expected to help Cleveland recapture the form that made them the Eastern Conference’s top seed last season, with improved ball movement and scoring efficiency. The team now looks ahead to a Friday matchup against the Washington Wizards, aiming to build on this momentum and solidify their standing in the conference.
Philadelphia, meanwhile, will host the Toronto Raptors on Saturday as they seek to rebound from back-to-back losses. Mitchell’s dominant performance not only secured the win but also highlighted the Cavaliers’ ceiling when fully healthy, setting the stage for an intriguing season as they integrate key players and address early-season inconsistencies.