The Boston Celtics handed the Cleveland Cavaliers their first loss of the season, ending their remarkable 15-0 start in a thrilling 120-117 victory in the NBA Cup at TD Garden. The Cavaliers, who had been undefeated, mounted a late comeback but fell short as the Celtics held on to secure the win.
Jayson Tatum was the standout performer for the Celtics, leading the team with 33 points, 12 rebounds, and seven assists. Al Horford contributed with 20 points, while Derrick White and Jaylen Brown chipped in with 19 and 17 points, respectively. Despite Cleveland’s strong showing from Donovan Mitchell, who scored 33 points, and Evan Mobley, who added 22 points, the Cavaliers could not maintain their unbeaten streak.
Cavaliers' Struggle to Keep the Streak Alive
The Cavaliers found themselves trailing by 17 points at halftime, but they rallied in the second half, closing the gap to just two points midway through the final quarter. However, the Celtics' defense held firm, ensuring the victory. The Cavs’ undefeated run had matched the second-best season start in NBA history, only behind the 2015-16 Golden State Warriors, who opened with 24 consecutive wins.
Tatum Reflects on the Victory
After the game, Jayson Tatum spoke about the excitement of ending the Cavaliers' streak, saying, “We were excited for today… they came in, they feel like we were the best team, and we felt like we were the best team. It’s all the competition.” He also emphasized the team's strong communication and teamwork, saying they “had each other’s back” throughout the game.
Following the defeat, the Cavaliers will look to bounce back as they host the New Orleans Pelicans on Wednesday. Meanwhile, the Celtics will travel to Washington to face the Wizards on Friday.
Other NBA Results
In other NBA Cup action, the Los Angeles Lakers extended their winning streak to six games with a 124-118 victory over the Utah Jazz, with rookie Dalton Knecht scoring a career-high 37 points, including nine three-pointers. The Denver Nuggets also defeated the Memphis Grizzlies 122-110, and the Dallas Mavericks cruised to a 132-91 win over the New Orleans Pelicans.
The NBA Cup, launched in 2023 and won by the LA Lakers, counts toward the regular-season standings but is separate from the Championship race.
