The Boston Celtics handed the Cleveland Cavaliers their first loss of the season on Tuesday, edging out a hard-fought 120-117 victory in a thrilling contest.
The Cavaliers, who had joined an elite group as just the fourth team in NBA history to start a season 15-0, left TD Garden with their unbeaten streak snapped, thanks in large part to an outstanding performance by Boston’s Jason Tatum.
Tatum dominated with 33 points, 12 rebounds, seven assists, and two steals, anchoring the Celtics’ efforts.
Boston’s success wasn’t a solo effort, however, as six players reached double-digit scoring. Al Horford contributed 20 points, Derrick White scored 19, Jaylen Brown added 17, Payton Pritchard chipped in 13, and Jrue Holiday finished with 11 points.
Speaking about the game, White acknowledged the heightened energy surrounding the matchup against the league’s only undefeated team, a squad the Celtics had eliminated in the Eastern Conference Semifinals last season.
“Everybody knew they were undefeated and coming to our building,” White said. “It’s also an NBA Cup game, and we already lost one, so it was really big in that aspect. We were all aware.”
Boston built a commanding 17-point lead by halftime, which ballooned to 21 points in the third quarter.
However, Cleveland mounted an impressive comeback, narrowing the deficit to just two points. Despite the pressure, the Celtics held their ground to secure the win.
Cavaliers forward Evan Mobley reflected positively on the team’s resilience despite the loss. “I’m happy with how we fought back,” Mobley said.
“We didn’t start the best, and that really hurt us, but I think we played a good game. It was a good test, and from what I saw, we can beat anybody.”
Cleveland guard Donovan Mitchell had a standout night, scoring a game-high 35 points with eight rebounds, while Mobley added 22 points, 11 rebounds, and six assists.
The loss leaves both teams with 1-1 records in the NBA Cup, a competition whose semifinals and finals will be held in Las Vegas this December. Notably, NBA Cup games also count toward regular-season standings.
Russell Westbrook Hits Triple-Double Milestone
Russell Westbrook reached another milestone in his storied career during the Denver Nuggets’ 122-110 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies on Tuesday.
The 36-year-old notched his 200th career triple-double, further cementing his place in NBA history. Westbrook, the league’s all-time leader in triple-doubles, now sits 19 ahead of Hall of Famer Oscar Robertson.
In the game, Westbrook delivered 12 points, 10 rebounds, and 14 assists, helping Denver stave off a late Memphis rally. “It’s a blessing,” Westbrook said about the milestone.
“I’m truly grateful to play the game and achieve this. I also appreciate those who came before me. Winning and achieving these stats together is always the best feeling.”
Denver played without reigning MVP Nikola Jokić for the third consecutive game due to personal reasons but was bolstered by Jamal Murray’s 27 points, six assists, and two blocks. Michael Porter Jr. added 24 points and 11 rebounds for the Nuggets.
Despite the absence of star guard Ja Morant, Memphis saw a stellar performance from Santi Aldama, who recorded 28 points and 11 rebounds. The Nuggets now hold a 1-1 NBA Cup record, while the Grizzlies are 0-2.
Dalton Knecht Shines in Historic Rookie Performance
Los Angeles Lakers rookie Dalton Knecht delivered a historic performance on Tuesday, tying the NBA record for three-pointers made in a game by a rookie.
Knecht sank nine shots from beyond the arc, scoring a career-high 37 points to lead the Lakers to a 124-118 victory over the Utah Jazz. The win marked the Lakers’ sixth straight, their longest streak since February 2021.
The 17th pick in the 2024 NBA Draft has drawn high praise, including from superstar teammate LeBron James, who marveled at how Knecht wasn’t selected earlier.
“The other 16 teams messed it up,” James said. “Did anyone watch him? You don’t just ‘find’ the SEC Player of the Year.”
Knecht now joins Rodrigue Beaubois, Yogi Ferrell, and Keyonte George as the only rookies in NBA history to hit nine threes in a single game.
The Lakers, the defending NBA Cup champions, improve to 2-0 in the tournament, while the Jazz fall to 0-2.
Tuesday’s Full Results
- Cleveland Cavaliers 117 @ 120 Boston Celtics
- Denver Nuggets 122 @ 110 Memphis Grizzlies
- Utah Jazz 118 @ 124 Los Angeles Lakers
- Charlotte Hornets 115 @ 116 Brooklyn Nets
- New Orleans Pelicans 91 @ 132 Dallas Mavericks
- Oklahoma City Thunder 104 @ 110 San Antonio Spurs
