Mitchell, Mobley Will Cleveland Cavaliers Past Kings in Friday Night Thriller 123-118
If you were looking for a masterclass in wire-to-wire dominance, you might have left Rocket Arena scratching your head on Friday night. But if you were looking for grit, resilience, and star power, stepping up when the lights got bright? The Cleveland Cavaliers delivered exactly that.
In a game that swung violently from a blowout to a nail-biter, the Cavs managed to hold off a spirited Sacramento Kings squad, 123-118. It wasn’t always pretty, and head coach Kenny Atkinson might have a few more gray hairs because of it, but in the NBA, a win in the left column is all that matters. Behind Donovan Mitchell’s 33 points and a season-best performance from Evan Mobley, the Cleveland Cavaliers secured their fourth win in five games, improving to 26-20 on the year.
Donovan Mitchell Takes Over When It Matters Most
The narrative surrounding this team all season has been consistency—or the lack thereof. For a moment in the fourth quarter, it felt like the ghosts of games past were haunting the arena. The Kings, who had trailed by double digits early, clawed their way back to take a 114-113 lead with just four minutes remaining.
That’s when Donovan Mitchell did what superstars do.
Mitchell, who has carried the offensive burden heavily with Darius Garland sidelined due to a toe sprain, didn’t flinch. With the game teetering on the edge at the 2:29 mark, he pulled up and drained a massive 3-pointer that sucked the air out of the Kings’ comeback bid and put the Cleveland Cavaliers back on top, 118-114. It was the kind of “calm amidst the storm” shot that separates contenders from pretenders. Mitchell finished his night with a complete stat line: 33 points, 5 rebounds, and 8 assists, acting as the stabilizer every time the offense looked shaky.
Evan Mobley’s Two-Way Dominance for the Cleveland Cavaliers
While Mitchell provided the closing arguments, Evan Mobley was the one making the case all night long. The young forward looked like the best player on the floor for large stretches, matching his season-high with 29 points. But it wasn’t just the scoring; it was the sheer versatility.
Mobley was everywhere. He cleaned the glass with 13 rebounds, dished out 7 assists, and anchored the defense with four blocks. When the offense stalled, Mobley was the release valve. When the defense broke down, he was the eraser at the rim. It was arguably one of the most complete all-around games of his career, showcasing exactly why the organization views him as a franchise cornerstone. With Garland out, the Cleveland Cavaliers needed a secondary playmaker, and Mobley filled that void brilliantly.
Jaylon Tyson and the Dagger
In a game featuring established All-Stars like Mitchell, Sabonis, and DeRozan, it was Jaylon Tyson who delivered the final blow. With the Kings still lurking in the final minute, missing three straight opportunities to tie the game, the ball found Tyson.
He didn’t panic. With 25.6 seconds left on the clock, he floated a shot into the cylinder that effectively put the game on ice. Tyson finished with 17 points, 7 rebounds, and 4 assists, proving that the moment wasn’t too big for him. It’s these kinds of contributions from the supporting cast that turn good teams into dangerous ones.
Kings Fight Back from Early Deficit
You have to tip your cap to Sacramento. After the Cleveland Cavaliers stormed out of the gates to a 16-2 lead, it looked like the rout was on. Kings coach Doug Christie, searching for answers, pulled his starters early—a move that could have signaled surrender but instead sparked a fire.
Dennis Schroder (21 points) and a returning Domantas Sabonis (24 points, 16 rebounds) refused to go quietly. They battled back to take a halftime lead and pushed the Cleveland Cavaliers to the absolute limit in the fourth. DeMar DeRozan added 20 points, playing his usual efficient mid-range game. But down the stretch, Sacramento simply ran out of gas, missing critical looks from deep when they needed them most.
What’s Next for Cleveland
This win was essential for the Cleveland Cavaliers’ psyche. They avoided a collapse against a sub-.500 team and proved they could execute in crunch time without their starting point guard. They are now 16-5 against teams with losing records, doing what they are supposed to do against inferior competition.
The Cavs will look to keep the momentum rolling as they travel to Orlando on Saturday, while the Kings head to Detroit hoping to snap a four-game skid.
