Donovan Mitchell scored a clutch jumper with just 0.3 seconds left to secure a 114-113 win for the Cleveland Cavaliers over the Milwaukee Bucks on Saturday night, stretching the Cavs’ unbeaten start to 7-0. This marks Cleveland’s best season opening since the 1976-77 season when they went 8-0 under coach Bill Fitch.
Mitchell led Cleveland with 30 points, while Sam Merrill added 17 off the bench, hitting five three-pointers. Jarrett Allen contributed 15 points and 12 rebounds, Evan Mobley added 14 points and seven boards, and Darius Garland finished with a double-double, logging 11 points and 10 assists.
For the Bucks, Damian Lillard exploded for 41 points, including a remarkable 10 three-pointers, and added nine assists. Giannis Antetokounmpo was also dominant, scoring 34 points along with 16 rebounds and nine assists, while Taurean Prince contributed 16 points.
The final minute was intense, with Lillard hitting a step-back jumper to give Milwaukee the lead with 9.8 seconds left before Mitchell responded with the decisive game-winner. Lillard, who had struggled with a career-low four points in his last game against Memphis, opened strong with two quick threes and scored 18 points in the first quarter alone. Milwaukee jumped to a 9-0 start and led by as much as 16 points before Cleveland fought back, led by Mitchell’s second-quarter surge.
The game saw 11 lead changes in the third quarter, setting up a thrilling fourth where Cleveland ultimately claimed victory.