Donovan Mitchell didn’t just show up Monday night - he took over. From the moment the Cavaliers needed a spark, he lit the fuse and never let up, dropping 45 points in a commanding 114-98 win over the Orlando Magic.
This wasn’t just a scoring outburst - it was a statement. When Mitchell plays like this, the Cavs don’t just compete.
They control.
It’s Cleveland’s fourth straight win and their second in a row over Orlando, but more importantly, it’s another sign that this team is starting to click. And it starts with Mitchell, who turned a shaky beginning into a showcase of dominance.
Early on, it looked like the Cavs were still brushing off some January rust. They fell behind by 10, coughed up six turnovers in the first 10 minutes, and struggled to find rhythm without Darius Garland steering the offense.
Ball security is still a work in progress, especially without their floor general. But then Mitchell did what stars do - he flipped the script.
He poured in 26 points in the first half alone, completely shifting the momentum with a 39-24 second quarter that put Cleveland in control. By halftime, the Cavs had a five-point lead, and they never looked back.
From that point on, the execution sharpened. Cleveland committed just eight more turnovers the rest of the way, edged Orlando on the boards 45-42, and shot over 40% from three. That’s the kind of formula that wins games - and wins them consistently.
Mitchell was at his best late, slicing through Orlando’s defense and bailing out broken possessions with cold-blooded shot-making. This is the version of Mitchell that Cleveland needs to see night in and night out - not just a bucket-getter, but a closer, a leader, and the engine that drives everything.
Evan Mobley continues to trend upward. He finished with 20 points, nine rebounds, and two blocks, playing with a growing sense of confidence and physicality. He’s starting to look more and more like the two-way force the Cavs envisioned when they drafted him.
And how about Jaylon Tyson? The rookie, fresh off being named to the 2026 Rising Stars Game, delivered a well-rounded performance with 14 points, seven rebounds, and four assists on 5-of-9 shooting.
He’s the first Cavalier on a standard contract to earn that Rising Stars nod since Mobley - and that’s no small feat. His versatility and poise continue to stand out.
For Orlando, Paolo Banchero did everything he could to keep his team in it, putting up 37 points and 10 rebounds. But it wasn’t enough to overcome Cleveland’s second-half surge.
The Cavs have now won 11 of their last 15, and what once looked like a hot streak is starting to feel like a team finding its groove. They’re defending with purpose, scoring in bunches, and leaning into an identity that’s built around toughness, balance, and star power.
Next up? A visit from the Lakers on Wednesday night. That one’s going to have a little extra juice - big names, bright lights, and a chance for the Cavs to show just how far they’ve come.