Amid the laughter and talk of making history in the Cleveland Cavaliers’ locker room, Donovan Mitchell tried to keep things in perspective about the team’s 13-0 start to the NBA season.
“We’re the hunted, but it’s also November,” Cleveland’s star forward said after he scored 23 points, grabbed 14 rebounds, and dished out 9 assists in the Cavaliers’ 114-106 win over Philadelphia on Wednesday night. “Let’s relax. You know, I’m saying it’s November, and we’re not winning a championship right now. But these are good tests for us.”
Cleveland became the first team since the 2015-16 Golden State Warriors to win 13 straight to begin a season. That Warriors team set the record for most wins to start a season, with 24 straight.
The Cavaliers are only the sixth team in NBA/BAA history to begin a season 13-0. Four of the previous five teams that did so went on to reach the championship round. The win also tied Cleveland’s franchise record for consecutive wins at 13, a mark they had set three times before — in 2009, 2010, and 2017 — all with LeBron James.
“It’s an 82-game season, and we’re only 13 games in,” said guard Darius Garland, who led the Cavaliers with 25 points in their latest win.
“There’s a lot of stuff that we have to clean up. But it’s a good thing that we’re getting these wins. It’s a good balance because we know we can get a lot better, even though we’re still undefeated.”
One of the reasons for the Cavaliers’ success has been their ball movement and scoring depth. Six Cleveland players — Mitchell, Garland, Evan Mobley, Jarrett Allen, Caris LeVert, and Ty Jerome — were averaging double figures in scoring heading into Wednesday’s game.
“We’ve all been able to play a lot of games, and you can be mentally and physically tired,” Mitchell said. “But you have to be able to keep doing the little things for one another. That’s what it takes on a night like tonight (to win). You have to be the team that does the little things for one another in those moments and continues to make the right plays.”
Wednesday night’s game turned out to be tougher than expected against a shorthanded Philadelphia team, which was missing Joel Embiid (left knee injury), Paul George (left knee injury), Tyrese Maxey (right hamstring strain), and backup center Andre Drummond (illness).
The game also highlighted the pressure Cleveland is under with its winning streak.
“If you were the Sixers coming in, you’re thinking, ‘We could end the streak,’” Cleveland’s first-year coach Kenny Atkinson said. “That always motivates players and coaches — knowing you can knock someone off their block. I know our players feel it, and they’ve talked about it.”
Philadelphia’s rookie first-round pick Jared McCain scored a career-high 34 points and brought the 76ers within three points with just over three minutes left.
“He came out and showed that he’s got some game,” Garland said. “He’s looking for a spot on that team as well. It was a good showing for all of us.”
That’s when Mitchell took over, scoring 11 points in the final three minutes to close out the game, just missing his first career triple-double. “He made those big step-back 3’s,” Atkinson said. “We’ll forgive him (for missing the triple-double).”
After a day off on Thursday, the Cavaliers will host Chicago on Friday and Charlotte on Sunday before their next big test — a Tuesday night game at the defending NBA champion Boston Celtics.
“We have a mature group and a steady group that doesn’t get too high or too low,” Atkinson said. “They’re a humble group. I don’t know if they are reading the media quotes, and I don’t think anyone is pounding the drum saying how great we are.
Donovan is always saying that we haven’t done anything yet, so they understand what they need to do and what the next step is. And they’re keeping that chip on their shoulder.”
