Cavaliers vs Nets: Mitchell drops 35, Cleveland withstands late surge to win 131–124 in Brooklyn

Cleveland banked its first victory of the season on Friday night, outlasting Brooklyn 131–124 after leading by as many as 25 and then surviving a furious fourth-quarter rally. Donovan Mitchell set the tone with 35 points on elite efficiency, while Jarrett Allen and Sam Merrill provided timely scoring to steady the Cavs when the Nets made it a one-possession game inside four minutes.

Cavs vs Nets final score, leaders, and the turning points

• Final: Cavaliers 131, Nets 124

• Venue: Barclays Center, Brooklyn

• Cleveland leaders: Donovan Mitchell 35 (10-of-15 FG, 6 threes), Jarrett Allen 22, Sam Merrill 22, Evan Mobley 13

• Brooklyn leaders: Cam Thomas 33 (9 ast), Michael Porter Jr. 31 (8 reb), Ziaire Williams 25

How it swung: Cleveland blitzed out to a 34–23 first quarter and stretched the gap to +25 in the third behind red-hot perimeter shooting (18 made threes overall). Brooklyn clawed back with downhill pressure and second-unit shot-making, trimming it to 121–120 with 3:48 left. From there, the Cavs leaned on Mitchell’s composure and Merrill’s free throws to close.

Evan Mobley’s night and the frontcourt battle

This matchup doubled as an early look at Cleveland’s evolving frontcourt. Evan Mobley posted 13 points with active help defense and glass work alongside Allen’s 22. The Cavs’ twin-tower look controlled the rim in the first three quarters and punished switches with quick seals. In the fourth, Brooklyn’s spread attack pulled bigs into space, but Cleveland answered by toggling coverages—showing higher at the level on ball screens, then rotating hard to the corners to protect the arc.

Key stat: Cleveland’s interior duo helped drive a massive free-throw disparity and kept second-chance points in check during the decisive closing minutes.

What this says about both teams

Cleveland Cavaliers — The offense looked balanced: star shot-creation from Mitchell, vertical gravity from Allen, and spacing from Merrill and the wings. Turnovers crept in during the Nets’ run, but late-game execution—set plays to free Mitchell on the right slot, empty-corner pick-and-rolls with Allen—held firm. Early takeaway: the Cavs can manufacture good looks without grinding possessions to a halt.

Brooklyn Nets — The comeback showcased shot-making headroom with Cam Thomas and Michael Porter Jr. Should the defense find a steadier base earlier in games, Brooklyn’s ability to string 10–2 bursts is real. Rotations at the point of attack and early help on slot drives remain the priorities.

Box score highlights (selected)

• Shooting: Cavs 53.7% FG, 18 threes; Nets’ late heater pushed them past 50% after halftime.

• Rebounding: Edge to Cleveland during the decisive middle stretch; Brooklyn gained ground in the fourth by gang-rebounding long misses.

• Ball security: Both teams flirted with momentum-killing giveaways; the Cavs’ live-ball turnovers fueled Brooklyn’s surge.

Moment of note

Play briefly paused in the fourth quarter due to a fan incident near the floor. After the interruption, both teams regrouped, and Cleveland closed with a 10–4 run built on free throws and half-court stops.

Where to watch Cavaliers vs Nets (replays) and the next meeting

• Replays & condensed game: Available through the league’s official streaming service and participating cable/satellite on-demand platforms.

• Team apps and regional outlets: Postgame highlights and extended cuts typically post within hours.

• Future Cavs–Nets games: Distribution varies by date—some in national windows, others on local/regional carriers and the league’s direct platform. Check listings on game day for your market.

(Broadcast schedules are subject to change by market and provider.)

What’s next on the schedule

• Cavaliers: Back on the road for an early East swing before their home opener; emphasis will be on cleaning up late-game turnovers and getting Mobley more early-touch opportunities.

• Nets: A quick turnaround at home with a focus on first-half defense—shrinking the floor earlier and limiting paint touches before shooters get in rhythm.

Big-picture takeaway

Cleveland 131, Brooklyn 124 reads like a routine win, but it was a useful stress test. The Cavs showed they can weather a hot building and a late avalanche of shot-making with a simple formula: star creation, frontcourt physicality, and just enough late-clock poise. For the Nets, the path forward is clear—bottle the second-half intensity, then import it to the opening tip.