Darius Garland and Jarrett Allen delivered standout performances as the Cleveland Cavaliers secured a 115-105 victory over the Washington Wizards on Friday night.
Garland led the way with 24 points and eight assists, while Allen added 21 points and 11 rebounds. With the win, Cleveland, now boasting a 22-4 record, remains atop the NBA standings with a 1.5-game cushion over Boston.
Donovan Mitchell contributed 20 points, solidifying his role as a consistent scoring threat for Cleveland. Despite shooting a season-low 39.6% from the field, the Cavaliers showcased their resilience, relying on defensive intensity and balanced contributions from their supporting cast to notch their 14th win at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse this season.
Caris LeVert chipped in 14 points and six assists, and Isaac Okoro added 13 points, providing much-needed sparks off the bench. Although Cleveland struggled from deep, going 15-of-51 on 3-pointers, their effort on the boards and ability to capitalize on Washington’s miscues were critical.
For the Wizards, Bilal Coulibaly was a bright spot, tying his career high with 27 points. The rookie showed flashes of brilliance, continuing to grow as a key piece of Washington’s rebuilding efforts. Jordan Poole added 17 points, and Justin Champagnie contributed 16 points and eight rebounds. Still, the Wizards dropped their 18th game in the last 19 contests, falling to a league-worst 3-20.
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Takeaways
Wizards’ Rookie Resilience
No. 2 overall pick Alex Sarr returned to the court after missing two games with a sore lower back. The French 7-footer looked sharp early, hitting his first five shots, including a 3-pointer, and finishing with 14 points and seven rebounds in 27 minutes. Despite his strong showing, the Wizards’ struggles continued.
Mobley Sidelined
Cleveland played without standout forward Evan Mobley, who is averaging 18.3 points and 9.1 rebounds this season. Mobley sat out with a left ankle sprain suffered in their previous game against Miami. Head coach Kenny Atkinson expressed optimism, noting that the injury isn’t expected to sideline Mobley long-term.
Key Moment
The Cavaliers broke the game open late in the third quarter, thanks in part to Caris LeVert’s aggressive play. LeVert scored four points and absorbed a flagrant foul from Jordan Poole during a crucial 7-0 run that extended Cleveland’s lead to 89-80 heading into the final period. The surge gave the Cavaliers the breathing room they needed to close out the game.
Key Stats
Cleveland continued its dominance at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse, improving to 14-1 at home—the second-best mark in the league behind Orlando’s unbeaten record. The win also marked the Cavaliers’ 11th consecutive victory over Washington, the longest streak in the 55-year history of their head-to-head series.
Looking Ahead
The Cavaliers will hit the road to face the Brooklyn Nets on Monday, looking to maintain their league-best record. Meanwhile, the Wizards return home to host Boston on Sunday, hoping to snap their ongoing skid.
While Cleveland’s league-leading record and sustained dominance underscore their championship aspirations, Washington’s young roster continues to seek stability amid growing pains. Friday’s game highlighted the contrasting trajectories of these two franchises: one riding high atop the standings and the other enduring a tough rebuild.
The Cavaliers’ ability to win even on an off-shooting night speaks volumes about their depth and resilience. As the season progresses, the chemistry between Garland, Allen, and Mitchell will remain pivotal in Cleveland’s pursuit of playoff success.