The Cavs maintained their perfect record on Monday with a hard-fought 116-114 win over the Milwaukee Bucks.
Despite the absence of injured two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo, the Bucks kept Cleveland on their toes, but a clutch performance by Darius Garland ultimately sealed the victory.
Garland, who scored 39 points and drained seven of his 11 three-pointers, hit a crucial go-ahead three-pointer with just 45 seconds left, electrifying the home crowd at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse.
“It was amazing,” Garland said. “I grew up watching Dame. It was super cool playing some one-on-one basketball.”
CAVS WIN! #LetEmKnow pic.twitter.com/LJPk6cJvvx
— Cleveland Cavaliers (@cavs) November 5, 2024
While Garland’s one-on-one showdown with Bucks star Damian Lillard stole the show, the Cavs’ success has been a team effort.
With this win, Cleveland matched their franchise’s best start, a record set by the 1976-77 team that also opened 8-0.
Though Mitchell downplays the milestone, the Cavaliers are clearly thriving under first-year coach Kenny Atkinson.
Each game, someone new steps up to lead, which, to Mitchell, has been just as impressive as their win streak.
“We’ve won in so many different ways,” said Mitchell, who signed an extension with the team this summer. “We’ve had blowouts, close games, comebacks. Every night, it’s somebody new.”
Atkinson hasn’t shied away from using his bench depth.
Even with injuries sidelining key players Dean Wade and Caris LeVert, he rotated 10 players against the Bucks, including rookie Luke Travers, making only his second appearance.
“It just shows the belief in the group, from top to bottom,” added Mitchell, who had previously clinched a win over the Bucks with a buzzer-beater on Saturday. “And the belief we have in each other.”
The Cavs understand that the first loss will come eventually and aren’t aiming to break records. For now, they’re enjoying the journey as they look to match the Boston Celtics in the East this season.
