The Cleveland Cavaliers welcomed back Darius Garland from injury in style, cruising to a 132–121 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers on Thursday night (Nov. 6). While Garland showed some rust in his first game of the season after missing seven contests, Donovan Mitchell stole the spotlight with a spectacular 46-point performance.
Cleveland’s 132 points marked their highest-scoring game of the season, coinciding perfectly with the return of their starting point guard. Even though Garland wasn’t at his best, his presence immediately boosted the Cavaliers’ offensive flow.
Mitchell Shines with Season-Best Performance
Mitchell was the biggest beneficiary of Garland’s return, thriving off the ball and finding his rhythm early. The All-Star guard matched the second-highest scoring output of his career, pouring in 46 points on 15-of-21 shooting, including 6-of-11 from three-point range.
The Cavaliers as a team were red-hot, shooting 53.3% from the field, as Philadelphia struggled defensively without star center Joel Embiid in the lineup.
While Mitchell was nearly unstoppable, Garland had a tougher night finishing his shots — 3-for-11 from the field and 2-for-7 from deep. Still, his playmaking and ability to control tempo helped Cleveland build an early lead, surging ahead 41–27 after the first quarter.
Cavaliers Maintain Control Despite 76ers’ Push
The 76ers managed to trim the deficit to 70–67 by halftime, showing flashes of resilience. But the Cavaliers tightened up defensively and kept their offense humming in the second half, ultimately cruising to an 11-point win.
Mitchell’s combination of efficiency and aggressiveness proved too much for Philadelphia, while Cleveland’s supporting cast contributed timely baskets to maintain control down the stretch.
Cleveland Continues to Climb in the East
With the victory, the Cavaliers improved to 5–3 on the season, moving into fourth place in the Eastern Conference standings. The win also underscored how dangerous Cleveland can be when both of their star guards are on the floor — even when one is shaking off rust.
Looking Ahead
Next up, the Cavaliers face a quick turnaround with back-to-back games on the road. They’ll take on the Washington Wizards on Friday (Nov. 8 at 7 a.m. Manila time) before meeting the Chicago Bulls the following day (Nov. 9 at 8 a.m.).
If Garland continues to regain his rhythm and Mitchell maintains his current form, Cleveland could quickly establish itself as a serious contender in the Eastern Conference race.
