Cavaliers Start 2026 with Win Against Nuggets
The Cleveland Cavaliers started the year 2026 on the right foot, surpassing the Denver Nuggets with a score of 113-108. This triumph represents the third consecutive victory for the Cavaliers on a day full of action in the NBA.
The match, which took place at the Rocket Arena in front of 19,432 spectators, saw Donovan Mitchell shine with 33 points in 35 minutes. The Cavaliers’ defense adjusted in the final quarter, limiting Denver to only 11 points, after having been at a disadvantage for much of the game.
The victory was achieved despite the absence of Nikola Jokic, who will be out for approximately four weeks due to a left knee injury. Despite this, the Nuggets managed to have a lead of more than ten points in the third quarter.
We didn’t play at our level for the first three quarters, but the key was to keep defending.
Donovan Mitchell
Darius Garland contributed 18 points for the Cavaliers. For the Nuggets, Jamal Murray led with 34 units, showing 43% effectiveness in field goals.
Hawks Defeat Knicks
In Atlanta, the Hawks defeated the New York Knicks with a score of 111-99, who suffered their second consecutive loss. The Knicks did not have Karl-Anthony Towns, who was absent due to illness.
Onyeka Okongwu and Nickeil Alexander-Walker led the Hawks’ offense with 23 points each. Atlanta took control of the game from the end of the first quarter, extending their lead to as many as 26 points, although the Knicks managed to reduce it in the final stretch.
Spurs Secure Victory Against Pacers
The San Antonio Spurs achieved their 25th victory of the season by defeating the Indiana Pacers with a score of 123-113. This match marked the first game without Victor Wembanyama, who suffered a hyperextension in his left knee.
De’Aaron Fox led the Spurs’ offense with 24 points, followed by Dylan Harper, who contributed 22 off the bench. San Antonio maintains a solid performance against teams with a losing record, with a 15-1 mark in those matchups.
For their part, the Pacers extended their losing streak to 11 consecutive defeats, remaining in last place in the Eastern Conference.
