The Cleveland Cavaliers secured a 124-117 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Saturday night, led by Donovan Mitchell’s 36-point performance. Cleveland, now boasting an NBA-best 35-6 record, took command in the second half to rebound from their previous loss to the Thunder.
Darius Garland contributed 29 points, including five three-pointers, while also dishing out six assists. The Cavaliers turned a halftime tie into a decisive victory by outscoring Minnesota by 10 in the third quarter and starting the fourth with a critical 10-0 run.
Anthony Edwards scored 28 points for the Timberwolves, becoming the third-youngest player in NBA history to surpass 8,000 career points. Julius Randle added 20 points, 14 rebounds, and nine assists for Minnesota, which fell to 22-20 this season.
Cleveland’s bench was a key factor in the win, with Georges Niang and Ty Jerome each scoring 15 points. Niang also grabbed 10 rebounds, while Jerome shot an efficient 5-for-7 from the field. Despite missing starters Evan Mobley and Isaac Okoro due to injuries, the Cavaliers dominated the glass with a 47-42 rebounding edge.
Minnesota struggled in the second half, appearing fatigued after a win over the Knicks the previous night. Rudy Gobert recorded a double-double with 17 points and 12 rebounds, but it wasn’t enough to overcome Cleveland’s depth and firepower.