Donovan Mitchell delivered a standout performance as the Cleveland Cavaliers secured a 124-105 victory over the New York Knicks on Wednesday night.
Mitchell finished with 27 points, helping Cleveland (61-15) match the second-most wins in franchise history. The Cavaliers now hold a five-game lead for the top seed in the Eastern Conference after Boston’s loss to Miami.
Jarrett Allen contributed 21 points on an efficient 10-of-11 shooting, continuing his dominant stretch at home. Evan Mobley added 13 points and four assists, while Darius Garland chipped in 17 points and six assists.
Cleveland’s offense came alive in the second half after trailing 60-53 at halftime. The game was tied at 83 before the Cavaliers ignited a 15-2 run spanning the third and fourth quarters, seizing control for good.
New York (48-28) was led by Karl-Anthony Towns, who recorded 25 points and 13 rebounds but committed seven turnovers. OG Anunoby added 23 points, while Josh Hart finished with 19 points and five assists.
The Knicks, playing without Jalen Brunson for the 14th time this season, struggled in the second half as Cleveland tightened its defense. New York shot just 44.4% from the field and 30.6% from beyond the arc.
Cleveland’s offensive depth continued to shine, with De’Andre Hunter contributing 16 points off the bench. Isaac Okoro added 11 points, including a key steal and fast-break layup that extended the Cavaliers’ lead during their pivotal third-quarter surge.
With just six games left in the regular season, Cleveland is in position to secure home-court advantage throughout the Eastern Conference playoffs. The Cavaliers remain within reach of their all-time best record of 66 wins, set during the 2008-09 season.
For the Knicks, Brunson’s absence continues to be a challenge, though the star guard has been cleared to resume basketball activities. His return could be critical for New York’s postseason hopes.
