Cavaliers Dominate Clippers 124-89 Following Garland-Harden Trade
In a commanding performance, the Cleveland Cavaliers defeated the Los Angeles Clippers 124-89 on Wednesday night. This victory came on the heels of a significant trade that saw All-Star Darius Garland move to the Clippers in exchange for James Harden, neither of whom played in the game.
Cavaliers Shine Post-Trade
Donovan Mitchell led the Cavaliers with an impressive 29 points and nine assists. Jaylon Tyson contributed 17 points as the team secured its seventh win in eight games.
Key Contributors
- Jarrett Allen: 10 points and 11 rebounds
- Dennis Schroder: 11 points in his Cavaliers debut
- Keon Ellis: 6 points in his first game with the Cavaliers
Schroder and Ellis were brought in through a three-team trade a few days prior. The Cavaliers demonstrated effective teamwork, shooting 51% from the field and converting 39% of their three-point attempts.
Clippers Struggle
For the Clippers, Kawhi Leonard was the top scorer with 25 points, while John Collins added 19. They struggled with shooting, making just 21.4% of their three-point attempts and committing 24 turnovers, leading to 47 points for the Cavaliers.
Game Highlights
- The Cavaliers took a commanding 20-point lead in the first quarter.
- At halftime, Cleveland led 62-42.
- The Clippers managed to cut the deficit to 46-38 early in the second quarter.
- The Cavaliers maintained a lead of at least 20 points for most of the second half.
During the game, Clippers’ forward Derrick Jones Jr. returned from injury to score 7 points. Notably, the team was also without starting center Ivica Zubac, who was absent due to the birth of his child.
Upcoming Matches
Looking ahead, the Cavaliers will face the Sacramento Kings on Saturday, while the Clippers will play the same team on Friday. This loss marks a tough stretch for the Clippers, as they have now lost consecutive games for the first time since December.
The Cavaliers’ strong showing indicates they are adapting well to the recent changes in their roster, while the Clippers will need to regroup and refocus in their coming games.
