The Cleveland Cavaliers made history with a thrilling 131-122 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans, marking their first-ever 9-0 start to a season in the 55-year history of the franchise. Led by star guard Donovan Mitchell, who scored 29 points, the Cavaliers overcame a 12-point deficit on the road to extend their perfect record. Mitchell was supported by Caris LeVert and Jarrett Allen, who each contributed 16 points. Allen also dominated on the boards, securing 14 rebounds to help Cleveland control the paint. This victory surpassed the Cavaliers' previous best start of 8-0, which was achieved during the 1976-77 season under coach Bill Fitch.
The Cavaliers' shooting was on point throughout the game, hitting an impressive 54.2% of their shots from the field and 48.6% from three-point range. The team's depth was also evident, with the bench scoring a combined 50 points, a key factor in Cleveland's victory. Ty Jerome added 11 points, while LeVert continued his strong all-around play, contributing both offensively and defensively.
The Pelicans, despite the loss, showed resilience, especially with the return of Zion Williamson, who had missed the previous two games. Williamson finished with 29 points, scoring 23 of those in the second half after briefly leaving the game in the first quarter. Jose Alvarado had a remarkable shooting display for the Pelicans, making all seven of his three-point attempts and ending the game with 27 points. However, the Pelicans struggled to keep pace with the Cavaliers' efficient shooting and the contributions from Cleveland's depth.
In Atlanta, rookie Zaccharie Risacher stole the spotlight with a stellar performance against the New York Knicks. Risacher scored a season-high 33 points, helping the Hawks secure a 121-116 comeback victory. Risacher also grabbed seven rebounds, showcasing his all-around game. He was supported by Jalen Johnson, who recorded a double-double with 23 points and 15 rebounds. Trae Young also played a pivotal role, scoring 23 points and dishing out 10 assists. The Knicks, led by Karl-Anthony Towns with 34 points and 16 rebounds, had a strong showing, but Atlanta’s late surge proved to be too much.
Meanwhile, in Phoenix, Kevin Durant’s dominant performance propelled the Suns to a narrow 115-112 win over the Miami Heat. Durant scored 32 points, leading Phoenix through a strong third-quarter rally after they had fallen behind by as much as 15 points. Devin Booker played a crucial role as well, contributing nine assists and scoring when needed. Bradley Beal, who struggled with foul trouble and didn't score in the first half, came up big in the final moments, hitting a key three-pointer that helped give Phoenix the lead. Despite the adversity, Beal finished with seven points, and the Suns’ current record of 7-1 matches their best start in franchise history.
In all, it was an exciting night of NBA action, with Cleveland continuing their historic run, the Hawks showcasing their young talent, and the Suns maintaining their strong form with a gritty win.
