The Cleveland Cavaliers continued their dominant start to the 2024-25 season with a 124-113 victory over the Utah Jazz on Monday night at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. Four players scored 20 or more points, fueling Cleveland’s fifth consecutive win and 17th victory in 18 home games.
Darius Garland led the charge with 23 points and eight assists, while Evan Mobley added 22 points and 10 rebounds. Donovan Mitchell contributed 22 points, and Sam Merrill posted a season-high 20 points, hitting six three-pointers. The NBA-best Cavaliers now boast a league-leading 26-4 record.
The Jazz, who fell to 7-21, were led by Jordan Clarkson’s 27 points off the bench. Lauri Markkanen scored 26, and Collin Sexton, playing against his former team, added 24 points. However, Utah’s struggles at the free-throw line, particularly from Walker Kessler, who went 1-of-6 late in the game, proved costly.
The game, which was delayed 35 minutes due to a broken rim, remained tight through the first half. Merrill’s hot shooting in the third quarter gave Cleveland a double-digit lead they never relinquished. Merrill, a Utah State alum, scored 14 points in the third alone, showcasing his long-range accuracy.
Georges Niang sealed the game for Cleveland in the final minute, scoring on a backdoor layup and assisting Caris LeVert on a fast-break dunk. The Cavaliers’ defense held firm, limiting Utah to 41.3% shooting from the field.
For the Jazz, Kessler grabbed 16 rebounds, including eight offensive boards, but his inefficiency at the stripe highlighted Utah’s 69.2% free-throw shooting. The Jazz also struggled to contain Cleveland’s three-point barrage, as the Cavaliers shot 43.5% from beyond the arc.
Garland and Mitchell, Cleveland’s dynamic backcourt, showcased their chemistry, combining for 15 assists. Meanwhile, Mobley controlled the paint on both ends, registering his eighth double-double of the season.
