Darius Garland scored a season-high 39 points to lead the Cleveland Cavaliers to a 116-114 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks on Monday, extending Cleveland’s record to a perfect 8-0 start. Garland’s offensive performance kept the Cavaliers in control throughout, while the Bucks, who were missing Giannis Antetokounmpo, dropped to 1-6 with their sixth consecutive loss.
With just 45 seconds left, Garland drained a go-ahead three-pointer to secure the Cavaliers’ lead, completing an 18-8 rally in the final minutes of the game. Garland was efficient on the floor, shooting 15 of 22, including 7 of 11 from beyond the arc, demonstrating his ability to carry the team under pressure.
Damian Lillard led the Bucks with 36 points and 7 assists, but a crucial turnover late in the game hindered the Bucks’ chances. Lillard was called for an over-and-back violation with less than a minute remaining, which handed Cleveland control when the game was on the line.
In addition to Garland’s heroics, Evan Mobley added 17 points and displayed his defensive prowess by blocking a layup attempt and initiating a fast-break dunk during a second-quarter stretch. Jarrett Allen contributed with 14 points and 15 rebounds, making his presence felt with a key block on Lillard in the closing seconds.
The Cavaliers’ bench also provided timely support, with Sam Merrill adding 12 points, including two three-pointers. Cleveland’s defensive efforts were solid throughout, as they held off Milwaukee’s surges despite missing key players like Caris LeVert and Max Strus due to injuries.
Bobby Portis gave Milwaukee a strong showing, scoring 21 points and grabbing 18 rebounds. The Bucks played with determination, attempting to compensate for the absence of Antetokounmpo, who is sidelined with an adductor strain. Portis provided consistency on the boards, but Milwaukee’s struggles to close out games without their two-time MVP continued to impact their performance.
Monday’s win marked Cleveland’s second victory over Milwaukee in three days, following their narrow 114-113 triumph on Saturday, where Donovan Mitchell hit a game-winner. However, in Monday’s game, Mitchell scored just 14 points and struggled after the first quarter. Garland’s scoring, therefore, became essential for Cleveland to keep up their momentum.
The Cavaliers’ impressive start to the season echoes their 8-0 run in 1976, when the team last opened with such dominance. This season, Cleveland has relied on depth and efficient minutes from their roster, achieving their unbeaten record without a single player averaging more than 30 minutes per game.
Milwaukee, meanwhile, is facing one of the slowest starts in recent years, with road-heavy games and critical injuries affecting their lineup. The Bucks’ inability to close games without Antetokounmpo has been costly, as they search for adjustments to stabilize their season.
