Donovan Mitchell delivered a commanding 35-point performance, scoring 20 in the fourth quarter, as the Cleveland Cavaliers edged the Boston Celtics 115-111 on Sunday.
The victory ended Boston’s seven-game winning streak and showcased Cleveland’s resilience in a high-stakes battle between the Eastern Conference’s top teams.
Mitchell sparked a late comeback, hitting all six of his field-goal attempts in the final period, including four three-pointers. The All-Star guard was instrumental in overcoming a 12-point fourth-quarter deficit, finishing the night with 30 second-half points after a sluggish start.
Darius Garland contributed 22 points and eight assists for the Cavaliers, who avenged their November 19 loss to the defending champion Celtics. That defeat marked Cleveland’s first loss of the season after a 15-0 start.
Jayson Tatum led Boston with 33 points, while Payton Pritchard added 24 points off the bench. Kristaps Porzingis chipped in 21 points and eight rebounds for the Celtics, who were without key starters Jaylen Brown and Derrick White due to injuries.
The Celtics controlled the tempo early, leading 93-81 in the fourth quarter, but Mitchell’s offensive eruption flipped the momentum. His late-game heroics included crucial free throws that sealed the win after Boston’s Pritchard was penalized for a lane violation during an intentional missed free-throw attempt.
Cleveland’s bench provided valuable support, with Caris LeVert and Georges Niang each scoring 13 points. Niang shot a perfect 3-for-3 from beyond the arc, helping the Cavaliers maintain their offensive efficiency. Cleveland shot 48.8% from the field and 47.2% from three-point range overall.
Despite the absence of Brown and White, Boston’s depth kept the game competitive. Al Horford and Sam Hauser combined for 21 points, and the team hit 17 three-pointers on 49 attempts. However, turnovers and missed opportunities in the closing minutes proved costly.
Mitchell’s performance was particularly notable as he broke out of a recent shooting slump. Over the last five games, he had connected on just 40% of his attempts. The Cavs improved to 18-3 on the season and now hold a narrow lead over the Celtics, who sit at 16-4.
