The Cleveland Cavaliers extended their undefeated streak to 12 games on Monday night, securing a 119-113 win over the Chicago Bulls, making them the eighth team in NBA history to open a season with a perfect 12-0 record.
The Cavaliers’ remarkable start is the best in the league since the 2015-16 Golden State Warriors, who began their season with an unprecedented 24-0 run and finished with a record-breaking 73-9 season.
“It’s great to be part of history,” said Donovan Mitchell, who led the team with a season-high 36 points.
“I never want to take those things for granted along the road when we’re doing it in various ways. We’re doing it in ways where we are blowing out teams.
“We’re winning from behind. We’re winning close games. And it’s somebody different every night leading the charge. It’s always a group effort.”
The game was highly competitive, with Chicago keeping it close, taking an early lead in the first quarter, and trailing by just one point at half-time despite Mitchell’s strong 25-point first half.
THE CAVS ARE THE EIGHTH TEAM IN NBA HISTORY TO START A SEASON 12-0‼️ pic.twitter.com/uQmnCtRBmt
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) November 12, 2024
The Bulls even managed to build a nine-point advantage in the third quarter, but Cleveland’s bench stepped up, with Ty Jerome contributing 12 points and six assists.
During Jerome’s 21 minutes, the Cavaliers outscored the Bulls by 21 points, giving them the push they needed.
The Cavaliers’ impressive start marks the beginning of Kenny Atkinson’s tenure as head coach.
He joined Cleveland after three seasons as an assistant coach with Golden State and a stint as the Brooklyn Nets head coach.
He inherited a core lineup featuring Donovan Mitchell, Darius Garland, Jarrett Allen, and Evan Mobley, who have now spent three seasons developing together.
“Kenny did a great job of infusing everybody,” Mobley said.
“We knew the defensive system coming in, and he had an offense scheme for us that he wanted to work out. And he mended that very well, and I feel like everyone just bought in right away. Since then, we’ve just been going up from there.”
The Cavs’ upcoming schedule includes favourable matchups, starting with an away game against the short-handed Philadelphia 76ers, followed by home games against the Bulls and Charlotte Hornets.
