The Cleveland Cavaliers continued their electric start to the NBA season with a 119-113 victory over the Chicago Bulls on Monday night, becoming just the eighth team in league history to start a season with 12 straight wins. The feat makes Cleveland the first team to achieve this streak since the 2015-16 Golden State Warriors, who set an NBA record by beginning their season 24-0 and went on to post a historic 73-9 season.
A Team Effort Led by Donovan Mitchell
Cavs star Donovan Mitchell shined with a season-high 36 points, helping Cleveland rally after a competitive showing from Chicago. “It’s great to be part of history,” Mitchell said after the game, acknowledging the collective effort behind their undefeated start. “We’re winning in different ways, and it’s somebody different leading the charge each night.”
Despite Mitchell’s impressive first-half performance, which included 25 points, the Cavaliers found themselves down by nine points in the third quarter. Head coach Kenny Atkinson turned to his bench to ignite a comeback, with standout play from Ty Jerome, who contributed 12 points and six assists. Cleveland outscored the Bulls by 21 points during Jerome’s time on the floor, highlighting the Cavs’ depth and Atkinson’s confidence in his bench.
Coach Atkinson’s Impact and the Team’s Chemistry
Kenny Atkinson’s first season as Cleveland’s head coach is already making waves. Previously an assistant with the Warriors, Atkinson brought new offensive schemes while maintaining the core defensive principles that the Cavs’ core—Mitchell, Darius Garland, Jarrett Allen, and Evan Mobley—had established in recent seasons. “Kenny did a great job of infusing everybody,” Mobley said. “He had an offensive scheme for us, and everyone just bought in right away.”
Atkinson credited the team’s chemistry and focus, noting that they’re playing with “another level of concentration, another level of focus,” motivated by a desire to prove they can reach new heights. Five of the seven teams that previously achieved a 12-0 start made it to the NBA Finals, a trajectory Cleveland hopes to follow.
Looking Ahead with Caution and Confidence
The Cavaliers’ immediate schedule could help sustain their early momentum. They’ll face a short-handed 76ers squad on Wednesday, followed by back-to-back games against the Bulls and Hornets. Despite the promising schedule, Mitchell stressed the importance of maintaining their performance beyond this hot streak.
“The vibes are good, but we have to continue to be this team,” Mitchell said, emphasizing the team’s need to stay sharp as they face tougher competition down the stretch. “We’re going to get teams’ best shots. We’re going to get tested early, but are we going to continue to be this team January, February, March, April?”
As the Cavaliers enjoy their historic start, they’re determined to build on it with a focus that combines celebration with a grounded approach to the long season ahead. Whether they can keep this energy through the NBA playoffs remains the ultimate question—but for now, Cleveland is on top and aiming to stay there.
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