Donovan Mitchell returned to the Cleveland lineup and scored a season-high 37 points, including eight 3-pointers, leading the Cavaliers to a 117-109 win over the Atlanta Hawks on Sunday at Rocket Arena. Mitchell added 24 points in the second half after missing Friday’s loss to Toronto with hamstring tightness.
It was Mitchell’s 200th game with Cleveland, which is now 139-61 when he is on the floor. Jalen Tyson contributed 18 points, making a career-high five 3-pointers, while De’Andre Hunter also scored 18. Evan Mobley finished with 14 points and hit a key 3-pointer with 1:24 left to help seal the win.
For Atlanta, Jalen Johnson posted 23 points and 13 rebounds, and Kristaps Porzingis added 15 points and 12 boards. The Hawks are without Trae Young for at least a month after he sprained his right medial collateral ligament on Wednesday.
Cleveland also played short-handed, missing starting center Jarrett Allen and guard Sam Merrill, with Darius Garland and Max Strus still sidelined for the season. Despite these absences, the Cavaliers maintained control for most of the fourth quarter and closed out the game at the free-throw line.
Atlanta, on its fourth straight road game, stayed close until trailing 106-100 before Mobley’s three-pointer. Tyson then extended the lead with a corner 3, putting the game out of reach.
Cleveland improves to 4-3 on the season and will host the Philadelphia 76ers on Wednesday. The Hawks fall to 3-4 and will host the Orlando Magic on Tuesday.
