ROCKET MORTGAGE FIELDHOUSE, Cleveland — The Cleveland Cavaliers left the floor to boos Sunday night after falling 119-111 in overtime to the Charlotte Hornets, who were without injured guard LaMelo Ball and entered with one of the NBA’s worst road records.
Cleveland misfired on all 10 field-goal attempts in the extra period, turning a close game into its sixth defeat in nine outings. The loss dropped the Cavaliers to a frustrating start in a season that began with high expectations following last year’s 15-0 opening run under first-year head coach Kenny Atkinson and a subsequent second-round playoff exit.
Guard Donovan Mitchell accepted responsibility after finishing with 17 points on 6-for-24 shooting, including 1-for-11 from three-point range. Two nights earlier he had poured in 48 points against Washington.
“We deserve it,” Mitchell said of the crowd’s reaction. “I was a fan once. I would boo us, too… If I play better, we win that game.” He also missed an open jumper at the end of regulation that could have ended the contest.
Injuries continue to complicate matters for Cleveland. Reigning Defensive Player of the Year Evan Mobley is expected to miss up to four weeks with a calf strain. Guard Darius Garland, who underwent toe surgery in the offseason, is still managing pain, while forward Jarrett Allen has only recently returned from injury. Reserves Sam Merrill and Max Strus remain sidelined.
“No excuse,” Garland said postgame.
Mitchell echoed that sentiment. “No one is feeling sorry for us,” he noted. “I know it’s cloudy. I know it’s dark. As long as we continue to stay together in this locker room, we’ll be all right.”
The Cavaliers will try to halt their slide when they resume play later this week.
Source: Hoops Wire
