Donovan Mitchell Scores 41 as Cavaliers Rally 123-116 Past Celtics/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Donovan Mitchell erupted for 41 points, including 12 in the fourth quarter, as the Cleveland Cavaliers staged a stunning 22-point comeback to defeat the Boston Celtics 123-116 on Friday night. The victory split the season series between the Eastern Conference’s top two teams and delivered a major confidence boost for Cleveland, which was eliminated by Boston in last year’s playoffs. Jayson Tatum had a monster night with 46 points, 16 rebounds, and nine assists, while Jaylen Brown added 37 points, but it wasn’t enough to hold off the Cavaliers’ late surge.
Cavaliers Stun Celtics: Quick Look
- Mitchell’s dominance: The Cavaliers star dropped 41 points, 12 in the fourth quarter, leading the comeback.
- Tatum’s historic half: Tatum had 30 points, nine rebounds, and seven assists in the first half, an NBA first.
- Cavs overcome huge deficit: Cleveland trailed 25-3 early but stormed back with a 41-22 run to get back into the game.
- Celtics missing key starters: Boston played without Jrue Holiday (finger) and Kristaps Porzingis (illness).
- Game-changing moment: With 1:57 left, Mitchell hit a three-point play to give Cleveland a 119-114 lead.
- Key stat: Boston fell to 18-11 at home, showing vulnerability despite their dominance this season.
Donovan Mitchell Scores 41 as Cavaliers Rally 123-116 Past Celtics
Cavaliers Make a Statement in Comeback Win Over Celtics
Mitchell’s Fourth-Quarter Heroics Seal the Victory
The Cavaliers looked dead in the water after falling behind 25-3 in the opening minutes. But Donovan Mitchell refused to let Cleveland fold. The All-Star took over in the fourth quarter, scoring 12 of his 41 points, including a critical floater and a clutch and-one layup in the final two minutes to seal the win.
“We knew we had to fight back,” Mitchell said. “This was a big win, especially against a team like Boston.”
His performance helped Cleveland split the season series (2-2) and reminded the Eastern Conference that the Cavs remain a serious contender.
Tatum’s Historic Night Comes Up Short
Jayson Tatum put on a show, finishing with 46 points, 16 rebounds, and nine assists in one of his best performances of the season. His first-half stat line (30-9-7) was unprecedented, making NBA history.
But even with Jaylen Brown adding 37 points, the Celtics couldn’t hold off the Cavaliers’ late push. Boston missed crucial shots down the stretch, and Mitchell made them pay.
Cavaliers Show Resilience, Eye Playoff Rematch
The Celtics eliminated Cleveland in five games in last year’s Eastern Conference Semifinals, but Friday’s win showed that the Cavaliers won’t be an easy out this time around. Darius Garland had 20 points and seven assists, while Evan Mobley added 17 points and 12 rebounds, notching his 27th double-double of the season.
Cleveland’s depth and defensive adjustments allowed them to claw back into the game after Boston’s hot start. Even with the Celtics missing Holiday and Porzingis, the win gives the Cavs a huge mental edge heading into the final stretch of the season.
Key Moment: Mitchell Closes the Game
With Boston tying the game at 114-114, Mitchell calmly sank a floater to regain the lead. After a Brown miss, Mitchell drove to the rim, absorbed contact, and converted a crucial and-one layup, putting Cleveland ahead 119-114 with 1:57 remaining.
That sequence effectively ended Boston’s comeback hopes, as Cleveland’s defense stepped up in the final minutes.
Looking Ahead: Playoff Implications
With just over two months left in the regular season, both teams remain top contenders in the East. This game could have a huge impact on playoff seeding, especially if the Cavaliers and Celtics meet again in the postseason.
What’s Next?
- Cavaliers: Host the Portland Trail Blazers on Sunday.
- Celtics: Face a tough test against the Denver Nuggets at home.
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