Cavaliers Vs Hornets: Donovan Mitchell's 100th 30-Point Game Powers 118-113 Win

In a narrow finish that extended Cleveland's run, the Cavaliers defeated the Hornets 118-113 in the Cavaliers Vs Hornets matchup, pushing the team's winning streak to seven. Donovan Mitchell led the way with a 32-point night that marked his 100th 30-plus point game as a Cavalier, while contributions across the roster helped secure a tense victory.

Cavaliers Vs Hornets — How the Game Unfolded

The game was decided in the fourth quarter after a back-and-forth contest. Mitchell finished with 32 points, 4 assists, 3 rebounds and 2 steals, overcoming a cold start in which he shot 4-for-15 before completing the rest of his night 5-for-8. Cleveland leaned on inside play and late perimeter shooting to fend off Charlotte’s comeback attempts.

Key role players had mixed outcomes. One starter recorded 26 points and 14 rebounds with a block, a performance praised for consistent aggression in the paint; another guard finished with 18 points and 8 assists, helping the offense operate more smoothly while leaving room for improvement on the defensive rebound end. Bench contributions included a guard who provided two decisive steals in the second half and another reserve who knocked down two three-pointers and made a decisive backdoor cut earlier in the first half.

Charlotte entered the contest on the second half of a back-to-back after a 105-101 loss in their previous game. The Hornets had recently been buoyed by a nine-game winning streak earlier in their season and came into this matchup having lost two of their last three games. Head-to-head history had been split: Charlotte won the first meeting in overtime in Cleveland, while Cleveland had claimed the last two matchups by seven points each before this contest.

Player Grades and Key Performers

• Donovan Mitchell: 32 points, 4 assists, 3 rebounds, 2 steals. Mitchell weathered an early shooting slump and accelerated when the Cavs needed a go-to scoring option. The milestone 100th 30-plus point game underscores his role as the primary offensive driver.
• Lead playmaker: 18 points, 8 assists, 3 rebounds, 1 steal. The playmaker’s distribution elevated the offense and created momentum, though additional attention on the glass and off-ball defense would strengthen the unit.
• Interior force: 26 points, 14 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 block. Dominant on the boards, this player’s rebound total was a decisive factor in a close game where second-chance opportunities mattered.
• Bench spark: multiple contributions. A reserve guard produced multiple steals late in the second half, another reserve knocked down 2-of-4 three-point attempts and created a timely backdoor scoring play, and a different bench wing hit consecutive threes in the fourth quarter and has not missed a shot since returning from the All-Star break.
• Others: A young wing logged modest scoring and a couple of steals, while a reserve big offered shot-blocking presence but struggled with the game’s pace.

Implications and What Comes Next

With the win, Cleveland’s streak reached seven games, reinforcing the positive trends visible in recent performances. The lead guard had been rested in a prior contest—played just over 20 minutes—where he scored 17 points on 7-of-12 shooting (2-of-4 from three) and remained a high-volume scorer this season. That managed workload appeared to help mitigate fatigue in the back-to-back stretch.

Charlotte’s recent schedule and prior loss left the Hornets as home underdogs entering the matchup, and while they posed a consistent challenge, the team was unable to convert late possessions into the plays needed to reverse Cleveland’s momentum. The Cavaliers now carry a multi-game winning run and will look to maintain rotation balance as they navigate upcoming back-to-back scenarios.

Recent updates indicate lineup roles are still evolving, particularly for players whose minutes shifted after roster changes. Details may evolve as teams reassess rotations and rest patterns in the days ahead.