CLEVELAND Cavaliers used a dominant third quarter to pull away from Los Angeles Lakers for a 129-99 victory in the 2025-26 NBA Regular Season on Wednesday night (Thursday in the Philippines) in Cleveland, Ohio.
Donovan Mitchell led Cleveland with 25 points, while Jaylon Tyson added 20. De’Andre Hunter scored 19 and Jarrett Allen finished with 17 points and nine rebounds as the Cavaliers extended their winning streak to a season-best five games.
Lakers forward LeBron James, playing in Cleveland as an opposing player for the 13th time, was limited to 11 points — the first time he has failed to reach 20 in such games.
The 41-year-old Akron native shot just 3-of-10 from the field, missed all three of his attempts from beyond the arc, and went 5-of-6 from the free-throw line in 27 minutes.
It was also James’ worst loss in Cleveland as a visiting player. Although he holds a 10-3 record against the Cavaliers on the road, he has now lost his last two games in the city.
Luka Dončić, briefly left the game in the first quarter after landing awkwardly while attempting a three-pointer, paced the Lakers with 29 points, but Los Angeles fell to 3-2 on its seven-game road trip.
In Indianapolis, Aaron Nesmith made a go-ahead reverse layup with 13.9 seconds left and blocked Coby White’s attempt from close range with 2.9 seconds remaining, and Indiana Pacers rallied from a 14-point fourth-quarter deficit to beat Chicago Bulls 113-110.
Pascal Siakam scored 20 points, Andrew Nembhard had 18, Jarace Walker added 16, Bennedict Mathurin had 15 and Nesmith finished with 14 for the NBA-worst Pacers, who improved to 3-0 against Chicago this season.
Indiana has won two of their last three matches, having beaten defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder in an NBA Finals rematch on Friday night.
In other results, Minnesota Timberwolves defeated Dallas Mavericks, 118-105; Charlotte Hornets clobbered Memphis Grizzlies, 112-97; Atlanta Hawks prevailad over Boston Celtics, 117-106; and Orlando Magic toppled Miami Heat, 133-124./PN
