The Cleveland Cavaliers are making history.
Behind a season-high 37 points from Donovan Mitchell and a stellar 29-point performance by Darius Garland, the Cavs extended their perfect start to 14-0 with a dominant 144-126 win over the Chicago Bulls in an NBA Cup showdown on Friday night.
Cleveland’s victory not only added to their remarkable streak but also marked the longest in franchise history, surpassing any previous run the team has had in its 55 years of existence.
With the win, the Cavaliers became the sixth team in NBA history to start a season 14-0, joining elite company. The most recent team to accomplish such a feat was the 2015-16 Golden State Warriors, who went 24-0 to start the season. Cleveland’s scorching start is more than just an anomaly—it’s a statement that they are a force to be reckoned with, especially under first-year head coach Kenny Atkinson.
Atkinson has seamlessly integrated his system, guiding a team that has found chemistry quickly and is playing with the kind of energy and connectivity typically seen from much more experienced squads. On Friday, Cleveland’s offensive firepower was on full display as they posted a franchise-record 49 points in the first quarter alone, putting Chicago in an early hole. The Cavs’ offensive outburst set the tone for the rest of the game, as they never looked back, controlling the tempo and never letting up.
Mitchell’s 37-point outburst led the charge, but he was not alone in the effort. Jarrett Allen added 24 points and played an essential role in Cleveland’s dominance on both ends of the floor. Caris LeVert, a key contributor off the bench, chipped in 22 points, providing a scoring boost whenever the team needed it most. The Cavaliers’ offensive depth was on full display, with each player contributing to the blowout win, even as the team played without starting forward Evan Mobley, who has been battling an illness.
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The Bulls, led by Coby White’s 29 points and Nikola Vucevic’s 25, made a game of it for a brief period, cutting the lead to just four points on a dunk by Ayo Dosunmu with 2:55 remaining in the game. However, the Cavs responded with a flurry of 3-pointers from Mitchell and LeVert, finishing the game with a decisive 21-7 run to close out the contest. The Cavs’ late-game execution highlighted their poise under pressure, a characteristic that’s become a staple of their undefeated start.
For the Bulls, this was another disappointing performance in a season that has been filled with inconsistency. Despite solid individual performances from White and Vucevic, Chicago’s offense was plagued by rushed shots and poor possessions. As the league’s fastest-paced team by most offensive metrics, the Bulls often live and die by their up-tempo style. On Friday night, however, the fast pace led to forced shots and a lack of offensive cohesion, which ultimately proved costly in the face of Cleveland’s offensive barrage.
While the Bulls have the potential to be dangerous with their speed and offensive talent, they struggled to execute when it mattered most. Their inability to maintain any defensive resistance against the Cavaliers—especially in the fourth quarter—was a major issue, as Cleveland seized control of the game and ran away with the victory. For Chicago, these growing pains are a reflection of their ongoing struggles to find consistency on both ends of the floor.
One of the key moments of the game came early in the fourth quarter when Mitchell, sensing the need to take over, came out hot. He hit a 3-pointer to start the period and scored Cleveland’s first nine points of the final frame. With 18 of his points coming in the last 12 minutes, Mitchell displayed his ability to close games and put his stamp on the outcome. His scoring burst in the fourth quarter put the game out of reach and allowed the Cavaliers to coast to the finish line.
Cleveland’s offensive success on Friday night was also marked by the team’s ability to spread the ball around and make quick, decisive passes. Garland, in particular, played an efficient game, adding 29 points to go along with solid playmaking and facilitating. The chemistry between Garland and Mitchell is evident, and their ability to work together as a backcourt duo has been a key factor in Cleveland’s early success this season.
The Cavaliers have become one of the most well-rounded teams in the NBA, and their performance on Friday night is a testament to their depth. From Mitchell’s scoring explosion to the contributions of LeVert, Allen, and Garland, Cleveland’s balanced attack makes them a serious threat in the NBA Cup and beyond. Their ability to win games in a variety of ways, including without key players like Mobley, speaks to the strength of their roster and the culture of confidence that Atkinson has fostered.
Looking ahead, the Cavaliers will aim to continue their historic start as they host the Houston Rockets on Sunday. The Cavaliers are clicking on all cylinders, and with their blend of youthful energy and veteran leadership, they will be a tough matchup for any team in the league. For Chicago, the road ahead looks challenging, as they must regroup and find ways to tighten their defense and execute better on offense. The Bulls will return home to face the Charlotte Hornets on Sunday, hoping to snap their losing streak and avoid further setbacks.
Cleveland’s 14-0 start is not just a fluke—it’s a clear indication that this team is ready to compete at the highest levels. With Mitchell playing at an MVP-caliber level and the Cavaliers’ supporting cast stepping up when needed, Cleveland’s potential looks limitless. As they move forward in the NBA Cup, they have firmly established themselves as one of the top contenders in the league, and the rest of the NBA will be watching closely to see if the Cavaliers can keep this historic run going.
