CLEVELAND — After spending their first two games of the season struggling to protect big leads, the Cleveland Cavaliers found themselves in an unfamiliar position Monday night. This time, they were the ones making the comeback, and they made it count.
Cleveland erased a 15-point deficit and survived a frantic overtime finish to defeat the previously unbeaten Minnesota Timberwolves, 127-125, at Rocket Arena. The victory improved the Cavaliers to 2-1 and gave them their best win of the young season.
The result was a dramatic reversal from Thursday's season opener against Philadelphia, when Cleveland blew a 29-point lead and lost, 114-106. The Cavaliers nearly suffered another collapse Saturday after building a 22-point advantage against Brooklyn, eventually hanging on for a 125-121 victory.
Monday's challenge was a new one on the season. Minnesota controlled much of the first half behind Anthony Edwards, who scored 20 points before halftime. The Timberwolves led 31-24 after the first quarter and stretched their advantage to 54-39 with just over five minutes remaining in the second before taking a 60-50 lead into the break.
Rather than allowing the deficit to grow, Cleveland began working its way back in the third quarter. James Harden connected on a pair of three-pointers during the comeback, while Donovan Mitchell, Evan Mobley, and Meleek Thomas helped the Cavaliers outscore Minnesota 36-26 to tie the score at 86 entering the fourth.
The final quarter was a back-and-forth battle, with neither team able to take control. Minnesota held a 112-109 advantage with 38.7 seconds remaining, but Mitchell scored inside to cut the deficit to one. After Jonathan Kuminga made one of two free throws, Harden drove into the lane and hit a short floater with 10.4 seconds left to tie the score at 113.
Minnesota had one final opportunity to win in regulation, but Peyton Watson blocked Edwards' driving layup with 4.4 seconds remaining. The defensive play forced overtime and gave the Cavaliers another chance to complete their comeback.
Harden opened the extra period with a three-pointer, but Edwards continued to carry Minnesota's offense. The Timberwolves' star hit several huge shots, including a three-pointer with just over a minute remaining that put Minnesota back in front.
Mitchell answered with a jumper to tie the game at 121 before Kuminga made a free throw to give Minnesota a 122-121 lead with 34 seconds remaining.
With the game on the line, Harden drew a foul on Kuminga and calmly made both free throws with 13 seconds left, putting Cleveland ahead 123-122. The Timberwolves then had an opportunity to regain the lead when LaMelo Ball stepped to the line with 9.2 seconds remaining, but he missed both attempts.
Minnesota got another chance after an offensive rebound, but Edwards missed a three-pointer. Watson secured the rebound and was fouled with 3.9 seconds left, then made both free throws to extend Cleveland's lead to five.
Edwards connected on a 28-foot three-pointer at the buzzer to finish with 47 points, but it wasn't enough. The Cavaliers had completed their comeback.
The win featured several important contributions, especially from Harden and Mitchell down the stretch. But Watson's late defensive plays and free throws were just as important, giving Cleveland the stops and points it needed to finish the job.
For the first time this season, the Cavaliers were the team making a big comeback instead of trying to survive one. There are still plenty of things to clean up, especially after another slow start, but Cleveland showed it could respond when things weren't going its way.
The Cavaliers didn't play a perfect game Monday night. They did, however, beat an undefeated opponent after trailing by 15 points, and they made the plays that mattered most when the game was on the line.
What's Next
The Cavaliers host the Washington Wizards on Wednesday, October 28, at Rocket Arena. Cleveland will look to build on its dramatic overtime victory before heading to Atlanta on Thursday for the first road game of a back-to-back.
