CLEVELAND — Donovan Mitchell turned up the heat when it mattered most, dropping 20 of his 35 points in the fourth quarter to power the Cavaliers past the Boston Celtics, 115-111. It was a gutsy comeback win for a Cavs team that’s shown no fear, no letup, and after a couple hiccups, no sign of slowing down during their league-best 18-3 start.
The Cavs erased a 14-point deficit in the second half, fueled by Mitchell’s barrage of buckets, including 11 straight points late in the fourth.
Mitchell, who has cemented himself as the engine of Cleveland’s rise, wasn’t phased by a quiet first half or recent shooting struggles.
“Trust your work,” Mitchell said. “My teammates trust me. That’s all that matters.”
GARLAND STEPS UP UNDER FIRE
Mitchell wasn’t the only Cavalier delivering clutch moments. Darius Garland, targeted defensively by the Celtics in a clear mismatch against Jayson Tatum, held his ground when it counted most.
While Tatum poured in 17 of his 33 points in the fourth quarter, Garland and the Cavs defense limited him to just four points in the game’s final minutes.
Cavs coach Kenny Atkinson praised Garland’s resolve.
“I told him in the locker room, I don’t want to hide him anymore,” Atkinson said. “It’s playoff basketball. He’s gotta take the challenge. And he did.”
Garland’s response? “I’m no punk.”
Garland wasn’t just sturdy on defense. He contributed 22 points offensively, shaking off a rough shooting night in the teams’ last meeting.
BENCH BOOST
Caris LeVert and Georges Niang combined for 26 points off the bench, while Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen controlled the paint with 10 rebounds apiece. Their collective efforts helped the Cavs match Boston’s lethal 3-point shooting, with both teams knocking down 17 triples.
CHAMPIONSHIP GRIT
The Celtics were without Jaylen Brown (illness) and Derrick White (foot) but didn’t lack fight. Payton Pritchard caught fire off the bench with 24 points, and Kristaps Porzingis chipped in 21. Tatum’s fourth-quarter scoring barrage kept Boston in the game, but their late possessions lacked the execution Cleveland mustered.
Boston coach Joe Mazzulla gave credit where it was due. “They made more plays than us down the stretch,” he said.
MITCHELL MAKES HISTORY
The win wasn’t just another notch in the Cavs’ belt. It marked Mitchell’s fifth career game with at least 20 fourth-quarter points and saw him surpass World B. Free for second-most 30-point games in franchise history. Mitchell also hit his 500th 3-pointer as a Cavalier, the fastest in team history to do so.
But Mitchell has his sights set higher.
“It’s great to be in that company, but I’ve got to win a ring,” he said. “That’s the goal.”
STATEMENT WIN
With the victory, Cleveland not only avenged a previous loss to Boston but stopped the Celtics’ seven-game winning streak and kept their grip on the NBA’s best record.
The Cavaliers continue to establish themselves as a legitimate force in the East, blending Mitchell’s brilliance, Garland’s grit, and a roster built to compete deep into the postseason.
As Atkinson put it, “This league humbles you fast, but nights like this show what we’re capable of.”
The Cavs host Washington next, while Boston looks to regroup against Miami. But one thing is clear — the road to becoming the beast of the East, at the moment, runs through Cleveland.
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