Cavaliers 94–87 Hornets: Mitchell’s Fast Start Carries Cleveland to Road Win in Charlotte
The Cleveland Cavaliers built a massive early cushion and then survived a late rally, defeating the Charlotte Hornets 94–87 at Spectrum Center in a gritty Cavaliers vs Hornets matchup.
Behind a blistering opening quarter and stifling first-half defense, Cleveland moved to 25–20 on the season, while Charlotte absorbed its 28th loss despite a spirited second-half push.
First Half: Cavaliers Blitz Charlotte Early
The opening 24 minutes decided the shape of Cavaliers vs Hornets.
Cleveland came out red-hot, hitting 11 of its first 15 shots and racing to a 21-point first-quarter lead as Charlotte struggled to establish any offensive rhythm. Relentless ball pressure forced turnovers and rushed attempts, allowing the Cavs to control both tempo and physicality.
The second quarter was even more punishing for the Hornets:
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Charlotte scored just 12 points, tying its season low for a quarter
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Cleveland continued to dominate defensively and on the glass
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Donovan Mitchell poured in 14 first-half points, attacking from all three levels
By halftime, the Cavaliers had built a commanding 56–32 lead, and the game appeared headed toward a blowout.
Second Half: Hornets Rally, Cavs Hold On
Charlotte finally showed urgency after the break.
The Hornets ramped up defensive pressure and attacked the rim more aggressively, steadily chipping away at Cleveland’s lead through the third quarter and into the fourth. As the Cavaliers’ offense cooled, the margin shrank into single digits and the Spectrum Center crowd came alive.
Down the stretch, however, Cleveland did just enough:
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Mitchell created key late-clock looks to steady the offense
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Evan Mobley controlled the paint and limited second-chance points
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The Cavs executed defensively in the final minutes
Despite being outscored 55–38 in the second half, Cleveland’s dominant start proved decisive, closing the game out at the free-throw line and with timely stops.
Box Score Highlights
Cleveland Cavaliers (25–20)
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Donovan Mitchell: 24 points, set the tone early and closed late
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Evan Mobley: 14 points, 14 rebounds, anchored the interior
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Cavaliers held a clear edge in points off turnovers and rebounding
Charlotte Hornets (87)
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Balanced scoring but no consistent go-to option
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Early turnovers and a disastrous second quarter created an insurmountable deficit
Scoring by Quarter
| Team | 1Q | 2Q | 3Q | 4Q | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cavaliers | 35 | 21 | 18 | 20 | 94 |
| Hornets | 14 | 18 | 26 | 29 | 87 |
What Cavaliers vs Hornets Revealed
Cavaliers: Road Form on the Rise
Cleveland has now won five of its last six road games, leaning on defense and early offensive execution to control hostile environments.
Mitchell’s Leadership
Mitchell’s 24-point night and early aggression created the cushion Cleveland needed when the offense stalled later.
Hornets’ Slow Starts
Charlotte’s 12-point second quarter and 24-point halftime deficit underscore a recurring issue with energy and execution at tip-off.
Final Word
Cavaliers vs Hornets was a tale of two halves. Cleveland dominated early, Charlotte rallied late — but the damage was already done.
With Donovan Mitchell leading the way and Evan Mobley controlling the paint, the Cavaliers escaped Charlotte with a 94–87 road win, another sign of a team finding consistency away from home.