CLEVELAND Cavaliers rode a 43-point performance from Donovan Mitchell to defeat the Indiana Pacers, 135-119, in the 2025-26 NBA Regular Season on Monday night (Tuesday in the Philippines) in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Mitchell fueled the Cavs’ offense with 16-of-27 shooting while adding nine rebounds and six assists. Jaylon Tyson provided strong support with 27 points and 11 rebounds. Evan Mobley and DeAndre Hunter chipped in 13 points apiece.
Cleveland, who shot 51 percent from the field and outrebounded Indiana, 48-36, built a pair of 21-point leads in the first half, the last at 53-32, before taking a 66-54 advantage into halftime.
The Cavaliers, which were without guards Darius Garland and Lonzo Ball, maintained control throughout, holding a 99-90 lead after three quarters and opening the fourth with a 5-0 run to keep Indiana at bay.
Pascal Siakam led Indiana with 26 points, while Andrew Nembhard finished with 21. Garrison Mathews, who signed a second 10-day contract earlier in the day, and Jay Huff contributed 15 apiece.
Meanwhile, Cade Cunningham scored eight of his 18 points in the final 3:21, and the Detroit Pistons rallied to beat the Atlanta Hawks, 99-98, at home in Detroit, Michigan.
Following two missed free throws by Detroit’s Daniss Jenkins, Atlanta had a chance to win with 0.1 seconds left, but Jalen Johnson couldn’t convert a tip-in as time expired.
Jalen Duren had 21 points and 11 rebounds for the Pistons, who won for the 15th time in 17 games. Caris LeVert added 14 points and made two key defensive plays down the stretch.
Johnson had 29 points and 13 rebounds for Atlanta, which had won four of five. Nickeil Alexander-Walker added 26 points and Onyeka Okongwu scored 20 markers.
In other results, Washington Wizards stunned Milwaukee Bucks, 129-126; Miami Heat dominated Los Angeles Clippers, 140-123; Brooklyn Nets defeated Charlotte Hornets, 116-103; and Orlando Magic prevailed over Chicago Bulls, 125-120./PN
