The Cleveland Cavaliers continued their dominant start to the season with a 128-114 win over the Charlotte Hornets on Sunday night, marking their 15th consecutive victory.
Darius Garland led Cleveland with 25 points, while Ty Jerome, starting in place of Donovan Mitchell, matched his career-high with 24 points and added eight assists.
The Cavaliers became the fourth team in NBA history to start a season 15-0, joining the Golden State Warriors (2016), Houston Rockets (1994), and Washington Capitols (1949). The Warriors hold the league record with a 24-0 start, a benchmark Cleveland may now chase.
Evan Mobley contributed a double-double with 23 points and 11 rebounds, while Jarrett Allen added 21 points and 15 boards.
Cleveland’s offense thrived, shooting 67% in the first half to build a lead they never relinquished. The Cavaliers’ depth and execution remained strong, even with Mitchell resting after scoring a season-high 37 points in their previous game.
LaMelo Ball scored 31 points and recorded 12 assists for the Hornets, but Charlotte couldn’t keep up in the closing minutes. Miles Bridges added 19 points, but defensive struggles prevented the Hornets from mounting a significant comeback.
Despite their effort on the second night of a back-to-back, Charlotte fell to 5-8 on the season.
The Hornets dealt with more adversity as Ball was fined $100,000 earlier in the day for making an offensive comment in a postgame interview.
Additionally, their defense failed to match Cleveland’s efficiency, particularly in the paint and during critical moments.
Cleveland’s dominance stems from their ability to share the ball and control the glass. The Cavaliers assisted on 26 of their 44 field goals, with Garland and Jerome combining for 20 assists. They also outrebounded the Hornets 48-40, led by Allen’s 15 boards.
Charlotte’s bench contributed just 24 points, highlighting a need for improved depth to support Ball and Bridges.
The Cavaliers will face their toughest test yet on Tuesday when they visit the defending champion Boston Celtics. A win in Boston would not only extend their streak but also solidify their position as early contenders in the Eastern Conference.
