Donovan Mitchell erupted for 35 points, including a dazzling 20-point fourth quarter, to power the Cleveland Cavaliers to a thrilling 115-111 comeback victory over the Boston Celtics on Sunday night. In a battle between two of the Eastern Conference’s top teams, Mitchell showcased his star power, making all six of his fourth-quarter shots, including four clutch 3-pointers, to erase a 12-point deficit.
After a slow first half, Mitchell caught fire, scoring 30 points in the second half and delivering the dagger free throws to seal the win. Darius Garland chipped in 22 points for Cleveland, which avenged its only loss in its first 16 games after Boston ended the Cavs’ perfect start on Nov. 19.
Jayson Tatum led the Celtics with 33 points, and Payton Pritchard stepped up with a season-high 24 points without starters Jaylen Brown (illness) and Derrick White (foot sprain). Kristaps Porzingis contributed 21 points for Boston, which led by 12 early in the fourth quarter before Mitchell’s heroics.
Despite their balanced attack and outside shooting, the shorthanded Celtics couldn’t hold off Mitchell’s onslaught, as Cleveland snapped their seven-game winning streak. Following an impressive victory, let’s grade the Cavaliers players.
Donovan Mitchell: A
Stats: 35 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals, 1 block, 3 turnovers, 3 fouls, 12-21 FG, 6-11 3PT FG, 5-8 FT, 36 mins
Mitchell was electric, delivering a masterclass in scoring with 35 points, including a jaw-dropping 20-point fourth quarter. He single-handedly brought Cleveland back into the game, hitting clutch 3-pointers and nailing pivotal free throws. His ability to take over in crunch time reaffirmed his status as one of the league’s elite scorers and leaders. Mitchell’s defensive hustle also showed with 2 steals and a block, making his performance complete.
Darius Garland: A
Stats: 22 points, 5 rebounds, 8 assists, 0 steals, 0 blocks, 0 turnovers, 4 fouls, 5-12 FG, 4-6 3PT FG, 8-8 FT, 33 mins
Darius Garland was the perfect complement to Mitchell, scoring 22 points and dishing out 8 assists without committing a turnover. His 4-of-6 shooting from beyond the arc kept Cleveland in the game early, and he showed poise under pressure. Garland’s free-throw accuracy (8-of-8) was critical during Boston’s late fouling strategy, showcasing his reliability in high-stakes moments.
Georges Niang: B-
Stats: 13 points, 2 rebounds, 1 assist, 0 steals, 0 blocks, 1 turnover, 0 fouls, 4-6 FG, 3-3 3PT FG, 2-2 FT, 22 mins
Niang provided a spark off the bench, hitting all three of his 3-point attempts and scoring 13 points in just 22 minutes. His efficient shooting helped stretch Boston’s defense and created additional space for Cleveland’s stars. While his impact was mostly offensive, his ability to deliver timely shots made him a valuable contributor in this tightly contested game.
Evan Mobley: B-
Stats: 9 points, 10 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 steal, 3 blocks, 5 turnovers, 3 fouls, 4-13 FG, 0-2 3PT FG, 1-2 FT, 36 mins
Evan Mobley was a defensive force with 10 rebounds, 3 blocks, and a steal, making his presence felt in the paint. However, his offensive game was lackluster, shooting just 4-of-13 from the field and turning the ball over 5 times. While his defensive effort helped limit Boston’s interior scoring, the Cavaliers need more consistency from Mobley on the offensive end to reach their full potential.
Caris LeVert: C+
Stats: 13 points, 6 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, 0 blocks, 5 turnovers, 1 foul, 6-11 FG, 1-4 3PT FG, 0-0 FT, 24 mins
LeVert chipped in 13 points and 6 rebounds, but his 5 turnovers were a glaring issue, disrupting Cleveland’s offensive flow at times. He showed flashes of offensive prowess but was inconsistent, particularly from beyond the arc (1-of-4). Despite the miscues, LeVert’s energy and hustle were evident, and he contributed when it mattered in transition and on the boards.
Jarrett Allen: C+
Stats: 8 points, 10 rebounds, 0 assists, 1 steal, 0 blocks, 1 turnover, 2 fouls, 4-6 FG, 0-0 3PT FG, 0-1 FT, 32 mins
Allen was solid on the glass with 10 rebounds and efficient offensively, scoring 8 points on 4-of-6 shooting. However, his lack of shot-blocking and defensive presence against Boston’s frontcourt was noticeable. Allen’s contributions were steady but unspectacular, leaving room for improvement in his overall impact.
Isaac Okoro: C+
Stats: 6 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assists, 0 steals, 2 blocks, 0 turnovers, 4 fouls, 2-2 FG, 2-2 3PT FG, 0-0 FT, 24 mins
Okoro made the most of his opportunities, going a perfect 2-of-2 from the field and beyond the arc for 6 points. He added 2 assists and 2 blocks, showing his ability to contribute on both ends of the floor. However, his limited involvement offensively and 4 fouls in 24 minutes slightly detracted from his performance.
Sam Merrill: C
Stats: 3 points, 1 rebound, 2 assists, 0 steals, 1 block, 1 turnover, 0 fouls, 1-5 FG, 1-5 3PT FG, 0-0 FT, 21 mins
Merrill struggled with his shot, going 1-of-5 from the field and 3-point range, finishing with just 3 points. While he contributed 2 assists and a block, his lack of offensive production hurt Cleveland’s bench scoring. Merrill’s hustle and effort were evident, but his shooting woes limited his effectiveness.
Ty Jerome: C
Stats: 6 points, 0 rebounds, 1 assist, 0 steals, 0 blocks, 1 turnover, 1 foul, 1-4 FG, 0-3 3PT FG, 4-4 FT, 12 mins
Jerome managed 6 points, all from the free-throw line, but missed all four of his field-goal attempts, including three from deep. His offensive contributions were minimal, but his ability to draw fouls and hit free throws helped keep Cleveland in the game during key stretches.
Jaylon Tyson: N/A
Stats: 0 points, 1 rebound, 0 assists, 0 steals, 0 blocks, 0 turnovers, 2 fouls, 0-0 FG, 0-0 3PT FG, 0-0 FT, 4 mins
Tyson played only 4 minutes and didn’t register any significant stats aside from 1 rebound. His brief time on the court didn’t provide enough opportunity to evaluate his performance.
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