Darius Garland and Donovan Mitchell combined for 47 points as the Cleveland Cavaliers secured a 120-109 win over the Orlando Magic (3-3) on Friday, maintaining their unbeaten start and improving to 6-0. Garland led the team with 25 points, while Mitchell added 22, helping Cleveland achieve its best start since the 2016 season.
The Cavaliers capitalized on Orlando’s first game without star forward Paolo Banchero, who is sidelined with a torn oblique and expected to miss several weeks. Banchero’s absence left a void for Orlando, but Jalen Suggs stepped up, scoring a career-high 28 points alongside eight rebounds and seven assists.
The game held extra significance as a rematch of last season’s opening-round playoff series, which Cleveland narrowly won in seven games. Despite the Magic’s persistence, Cleveland’s reserves played a key role late in the third quarter, with Caris LeVert, Sam Merrill, and Georges Niang all hitting three-pointers to push the Cavaliers to a 17-point lead.
Orlando managed to stay competitive through the first half, with Franz Wagner contributing 17 points and Moritz Wagner adding 14. However, Cleveland’s depth and fast-paced offense, introduced under new head coach Kenny Atkinson, proved too much as the game progressed.
For Cleveland, the win highlighted their strong buy-in to Atkinson’s system, marked by increased three-point attempts and a faster tempo. Garland and Mitchell orchestrated Cleveland’s attack effectively, supported by Evan Mobley, who added 14 points and dominated the glass with 12 rebounds.
Cleveland’s defensive pressure and bench depth made a noticeable impact, with Ty Jerome and Isaac Okoro also chipping in nine points each. Rookie Luke Travers made his debut for the Cavaliers, scoring four points in the final minutes as Cleveland preserved their lead.
This win reinforces Cleveland’s position as the only undefeated team in the Eastern Conference.
