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The Cavaliers, with a commanding 136–117 victory over the Warriors, became only the second NBA team in the last 20 years to start a season 10-0
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The Cleveland Cavaliers made a statement with a dominant 136-117 victory over the Golden State Warriors on Friday, improving their record to 10-0 to remain the last undefeated team in the NBA this season. The Cavs’ performance at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse was nothing short of spectacular, as they crushed the Warriors from the very beginning, making it clear that they are a force to be reckoned with in the 2024-2025 NBA season.
Cavaliers Start Strong, Build Insurmountable Lead
The Golden State Warriors, entering the game with a solid 7-1 record, were no match for Cleveland’s explosive start. The Cavaliers opened the game with a stunning 20-2 run, taking control early and leaving the Warriors struggling to catch up. By the end of the first quarter, the Cavs held a commanding 39-22 lead, setting the tone for the rest of the game.
Historic First Half Performance
Cleveland’s dominance continued into the second quarter. By halftime, they had built an incredible 83-42 lead, marking a franchise record for the most points scored in a first half. The Cavaliers shot an impressive 65% from the field and 64% (14-for-22) from three-point range, showing their offensive firepower. Darius Garland led the way with a stellar 27 points, including six made three-pointers on ten attempts, along with six assists. Evan Mobley added 23 points, four rebounds, four assists, and two blocks, while Ty Jerome provided a spark off the bench with 20 points, hitting all three of his three-point attempts. Isaac Okoro also had a strong showing, scoring 16 points and connecting on 4-of-6 from beyond the arc.
Warriors Rally in the Second Half, But It’s Too Little, Too Late
Although the Warriors made a push in the second half, outscoring the Cavs 75-53, the deficit was far too large to overcome. Jonathan Kuminga led Golden State with 21 points, while Brandin Podziemski added 14. Stephen Curry, who has been in top form this season, struggled in this matchup, finishing with just 12 points, his lowest scoring output of the season so far. Despite their efforts, the Warriors couldn’t close the gap, and the Cavaliers secured a comfortable victory.
Cavaliers Remain NBA’s Only Undefeated Team
With the win, the Cleveland Cavaliers became the last undefeated team in the NBA this season. The Oklahoma City Thunder, who had previously been undefeated, suffered their first loss on Wednesday in a thrilling 124-122 defeat to the Denver Nuggets. The Cavaliers’ 10-0 start is significant, as it ties them with just a few other elite teams in NBA history.
Cavaliers Join Elite Company with 10-0 Start
Cleveland is now only the fourth team since the 2000 season to start a campaign with a perfect 10-0 record. They join the 2000-01 Philadelphia 76ers, the 2002-03 Dallas Mavericks, and the 2015-16 Golden State Warriors, who set a league record with a 24-0 start before finishing with the best regular season record in NBA history at 73-9. Interestingly, the Warriors’ historical 2015-16 team was defeated by the Cleveland Cavaliers in the NBA Finals, a storyline that adds extra significance to the Cavs’ current run.
The Cavaliers’ 10-0 start also represents the best in franchise history, as their previous best start was 8-0. Additionally, head coach Kenny Atkinson made history by becoming the first coach to start a season 9-0 with a new team. With such an impressive record, the Cavaliers have quickly established themselves as one of the most exciting teams in the NBA this season.
What’s Next for the Cavaliers?
Looking ahead, the Cavaliers will attempt to extend their perfect start to 11-0 when they host the Brooklyn Nets on Saturday. As they continue their remarkable run, all eyes will be on Cleveland to see how far they can take this undefeated streak. With key performances from players like Garland, Mobley, and others, the Cavaliers look poised to make a deep run in the playoffs this season.
In conclusion, the Cleveland Cavaliers’ 136-117 win over the Golden State Warriors not only improved their record to 10-0 but also solidified their place as one of the most formidable teams in the league. With a record-setting performance and a historic start to the season, Cleveland’s momentum continues to build as they aim for an even more impressive season finish.
