Evan Mobley delivered a career-best performance, scoring 41 points to lead the Cleveland Cavaliers to a 116-102 victory over the Charlotte Hornets on Saturday.
The Cavaliers, now 21-3, have extended their hot start to the season, while the Hornets suffered their eighth consecutive loss.
Mobley’s dominance began early, as he dropped 23 points in the first quarter, propelling Cleveland to a 40-18 lead. The Cavaliers maintained control throughout the game, with Mobley contributing a crucial seven points during a 12-2 fourth-quarter run that sealed the victory.
Donovan Mitchell provided strong support, recording 18 points, eight rebounds, and eight assists. Darius Garland matched Mitchell’s scoring output, adding 18 points of his own, while Jarrett Allen chipped in with 11 points and 10 rebounds.
The Cavaliers showcased their depth, with eight players contributing points. Caris LeVert added seven points and four assists off the bench, and Georges Niang pulled down six rebounds in limited minutes.
Brandon Miller led Charlotte with 25 points, but his efforts weren’t enough to keep the injury-depleted Hornets competitive. The team suited up only nine players, missing key contributors like LaMelo Ball, Miles Bridges, and Nick Richards due to injuries.
Reserve Grant Williams also announced before the game that he would undergo knee surgery, sidelining him for eight to twelve months.
Despite the setbacks, the Hornets fought hard and trimmed Cleveland’s lead to 104-100 with just over five minutes remaining. However, the Cavaliers responded with a five-possession scoring streak, capped by Mobley’s aggressive play in the paint.
Charlotte’s bench made an impact, with DaQuan Jeffries scoring 17 points and Mark Williams adding 12 on perfect shooting from the field. Josh Green contributed 16 points, and Isaiah Wong scored nine while hitting all five of his free throws.
Defensively, Cleveland excelled in limiting Charlotte to 28.2% shooting from beyond the arc, while the Cavaliers hit 36.8% of their three-point attempts. Cleveland’s efficiency on both ends of the floor has been a key factor in their league-leading scoring average of 121.8 points per game.
