Cavaliers Suffer First Home Loss of the Season to Hawks
CLEVELAND, Ohio — In what was anticipated as a historic night for the Cleveland Cavaliers, the team faced a disappointing 135-124 defeat against the Atlanta Hawks on Wednesday, ending their impressive 10-game home winning streak. The Cavs had a chance to join the exclusive club of teams starting a season 18-1 or better, but faltered as the game progressed.
Cleveland started strong, racing to an early 10-0 lead and stretching it to a 19-point advantage in the first quarter, showcasing the defensive intensity that head coach Kenny Atkinson has been emphasizing. However, the Hawks quickly responded, with their bench outscoring the Cavs 27-8 in the final minutes of the first quarter, bringing the score to a tie at 35.
The game remained tightly contested throughout, with both teams battling within three possessions for most of the match. The Hawks sealed their victory with a strong fourth quarter, outscoring the Cavs 37-24, highlighted by a Dunk from Jalen Johnson that pushed Atlanta’s lead to 11 in the closing seconds.
Cavaliers star Donovan Mitchell led all scorers with 30 points, with strong contributions from Evan Mobley (22 points, 13 rebounds) and Darius Garland (19 points, 7 assists). However, Atlanta’s effective offense and 20 successful three-pointers proved too much. De’Andre Hunter stood out for the Hawks with 26 points off the bench, while All-Star Trae Young orchestrated the offense with an impressive 20 points and 22 assists.
The Cavs will have a chance to bounce back quickly, facing the Hawks again in Atlanta on Friday at 2:30 p.m. As they look to refine their defensive strategies, Cleveland remains committed to maintaining its competitive edge this season.
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Photo credit www.cleveland.com
