TITLE: Mitchell’s 31 Not Enough as Short-Handed Cavaliers Drop Opener to Knicks 119-111
SLUG: cavaliers-fall-to-knicks-season-opener
CONTENT:
The Cleveland Cavaliers started the new NBA season with a 119-111 loss to the New York Knicks on Wednesday night at Madison Square Garden.
Guard Donovan Mitchell scored a game-high 31 points, piling up 21 of them in the third quarter to erase a double-digit deficit and give Cleveland a brief lead. Forward Evan Mobley followed with 22 points and hit four three-pointers, while reserve guard Sam Merrill added 19 points on five threes.
Cleveland played without starters Darius Garland, DeAndre Hunter and Max Strus, as well as top reserve DeAndre Hunter. Despite the absences, the visitors kept the game close until the final minutes.
“I think they were just a more aggressive team,” head coach Kenny Atkinson told reporters. “They kind of dominated us in every area, especially early.”
Center Jarrett Allen finished with four points and four rebounds. Larry Nance Jr., in his second stint with the franchise, contributed 10 points and six rebounds in 17 minutes off the bench.
Lonzo Ball, limited to 35 games over the past three seasons, started at point guard and shot 1-for-7 from the field. Second-year wing Jaylon Tyson made his first career start, while rookie second-round pick Tyrese Proctor provided steady minutes in the backcourt rotation. Craig Porter Jr. logged seven minutes, and forward Dean Wade scored 10 points on perfect 3-for-3 shooting while supplying strong defense.
The Cavaliers return to action Friday when they host the Knicks in the second half of the home-and-home set.
Source: Hoops Wire
