The Cleveland Cavaliers defeated the Los Angeles Lakers 134-110 on Wednesday, extending their undefeated record to 5-0, as LeBron James and his son Bronny returned to Cleveland.
Evan Mobley led Cleveland with 25 points, while Donovan Mitchell added 24, and Jarrett Allen had 20 points and 17 rebounds, propelling the Cavaliers to a 23-point lead in the first half.
The Cavaliers are off to their best start since the 2016-17 season, when LeBron was still with the franchise, marking only the third time in team history they have opened with five straight wins.
In a memorable moment, Bronny James, who grew up around the Cavaliers’ arena, scored his first NBA points with a 14-foot jumper late in the fourth quarter, thrilling the home crowd.
LeBron led the Lakers with 26 points, and Anthony Davis contributed 22 points and 13 rebounds, but Los Angeles struggled to keep up with Cleveland’s fast-paced offense under new head coach Kenny Atkinson.
The Lakers, now 3-2, struggled early, with turnovers and defensive lapses allowing Cleveland to open up a 19-point lead after one quarter with four quick 3-pointers, including back-to-back shots from Mitchell.
Jarrett Allen’s double-double and Caris LeVert’s 16 points off the bench, along with six assists, underscored Cleveland’s depth and commitment to ball movement, which has been a focal point for Atkinson this season.
Darius Garland faced early foul trouble, but LeVert stepped in, continuing to fuel the Cavaliers’ offensive rhythm as they pressed ahead without losing momentum.
The Lakers’ bench provided some relief, with rookie Dalton Knecht leading reserves with 18 points, but the Cavaliers’ relentless tempo and defensive stops kept Los Angeles at bay.
