The Cleveland Cavaliers secured their eighth consecutive victory, defeating the Los Angeles Lakers 122-110 on Wednesday night. Led by Jarrett Allen’s season-high 27 points, the Cavaliers improved to an NBA-best 29-4 record.
Donovan Mitchell added 26 points, while Evan Mobley contributed 20 as Cleveland maintained its perfect 9-0 record against Western Conference opponents. The Cavaliers’ sharpshooting was on display with 18 three-pointers.
LeBron James, playing his first game since turning 40, scored 23 points for the Lakers. James became the first player in NBA history to appear in a game during both his teenage years and his 40s. His milestone appearance came against the Cavaliers, the franchise where he won a championship in 2016 and spent 12 seasons across two stints.
Austin Reaves led the Lakers with a season-high 35 points, along with 10 assists and nine rebounds. Anthony Davis added 28 points and 13 rebounds for Los Angeles, which now holds an 18-14 record, placing them seventh in the Western Conference standings.
The Cavaliers built a 96-80 lead early in the fourth quarter before a late Lakers rally narrowed the gap to 112-107. However, Cleveland responded with a decisive 10-3 run.
Cleveland’s Darius Garland recorded a season-high 14 assists, orchestrating a balanced offensive attack. Off the bench, Max Strus chipped in 15 points, including four three-pointers, while Georges Niang added nine.
For the Lakers, new acquisitions Dorian Finney-Smith and Shake Milton made their debuts after a trade from Brooklyn earlier this week. Milton scored six points, while Finney-Smith added two. Despite their efforts, Los Angeles struggled from beyond the arc, shooting just 25.7%.
The Cavaliers’ dominance in rebounding, led by Allen’s 14 boards, and their efficient shooting (48.4% from the field) proved too much for the Lakers to overcome. Cleveland also demonstrated strong defensive discipline, committing only 11 turnovers compared to Los Angeles’ eight.
Sam Merrill of the Cavaliers sprained his right ankle in the second quarter and did not return. Despite his absence, Cleveland’s depth ensured their momentum continued as they enter 2025 with the league’s top record.