Darius Garland Leads Cavaliers to 12th Straight Win with 40-Point Masterclass
Darius Garland delivered an electrifying performance on Thursday night, scoring 40 points to propel the Cleveland Cavaliers to a hard-fought 132-126 victory over the Toronto Raptors. The win extends Cleveland’s unbeaten streak to 12 games and reinforces their dominance at the top of the Eastern Conference standings with a 33-4 record.
The Cavaliers faced adversity after a taxing win against the Western Conference-leading Oklahoma City Thunder just 24 hours earlier. Trailing by 12 points late in the third quarter, Cleveland seemed on the brink of an upset loss. However, Garland took command in the fourth quarter, scoring 14 of his 40 points as the Cavs outscored Toronto 34-23 in the final period.
“He carried us,” Cavaliers head coach Kenny Atkinson said. “This is the first game all year where I felt like one guy carried us. We weren’t good, but he single-handedly took over this game.”
Atkinson further emphasized Garland’s All-Star credentials, stating, “He’s phenomenal. He completely took over the game and carried us. He’s got to be in that top All-Star tier.”
With Donovan Mitchell sidelined, Garland’s heroics were complemented by Evan Mobley, who contributed 21 points, and Jarrett Allen, who delivered an impactful double-double with 18 points, 15 rebounds, two blocks, and a steal.
NBA Thursday Night Highlights
Mavericks’ Late Rally Stuns Trail Blazers
In Dallas, the injury-depleted Mavericks mounted a thrilling comeback to defeat the Portland Trail Blazers 117-111. Missing Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving, Dallas trailed by 10 points with just over four minutes remaining. A stunning 16-0 run flipped the script, with P.J. Washington leading the way with 23 points and Dereck Lively adding 21.
Timberwolves Dominate Magic
In Orlando, the Minnesota Timberwolves cruised to a 104-89 victory over the Magic. Julius Randle and Anthony Edwards combined for 44 points, with Randle scoring 23 and Edwards contributing 21, as the Timberwolves controlled the game from start to finish.
Warriors Edge Pistons in Detroit
The Golden State Warriors eked out a 107-104 win against the Detroit Pistons in a closely contested matchup. Buddy Hield led the Warriors with 19 points, while Stephen Curry managed 17 points despite struggling from three-point range, hitting only two of his 14 attempts.
Lakers-Hornets Game Postponed Amid Wildfires
In Los Angeles, the Lakers’ home game against the Charlotte Hornets was postponed due to devastating wildfires raging across the region. The Lakers expressed their support in a statement: “We’re heartbroken for Los Angeles. Our thoughts are with all those impacted by this unimaginable situation.”
Garland’s brilliance and a night of dramatic games around the NBA underscore the league’s unpredictable and thrilling nature, making this a season to remember.
