Evan Mobley didn’t just carry the Cleveland Cavaliers past the Washington Wizards - he turned the game into his own shooting showcase.
Mobley scored 24 points and grabbed 12 rebounds in Cleveland’s 121-111 comeback win, and the biggest damage came from long range. He knocked down 5 of 6 attempts from three-point range, finishing just one shy of his career high of six, which he hit against Charlotte in the 2024-25 season.
The Cavs needed every bit of that production after a rough opening half. Washington came out swinging, punishing Cleveland in transition and in the half-court while piling up 42 first-half points. The Wizards were especially sharp inside, going 13-for-18 on two-point looks and scoring 26 points in the paint in the first quarter alone.
AJ Dybantsa also made his presence felt early for Washington. The No. 1 overall pick from last summer scored 9 points in his first stint and didn’t miss a shot.
Cleveland finally started to find some rhythm in the second quarter, with Peyton Watson giving the offense a jolt from everywhere on the floor. He hit mid-range jumpers, then stretched out to bury a three. By halftime, Watson had 16 points on 7-for-11 shooting, even though the Cavaliers still walked into the locker room down by double digits for the second straight game.
The defensive issues were obvious. Cleveland had trouble getting back in transition and also struggled to hold up in the half-court, and that combination kept Washington in control through two quarters.
The energy picked up after halftime. The Cavs didn’t erase every mistake - they still gave up another backdoor alley-oop - but they raised their intensity enough to make it a tie game heading into the fourth. That was the opening they needed.
In the final period, Mario Hezonja and Meleek Thomas delivered the shots that pushed Cleveland ahead. Thomas, who impressed in his debut on Monday, also stood out on the defensive end again.
With the win, the Cavaliers move to 3-1. They’ll be back on the road tomorrow against the Atlanta Hawks before wrapping up October with a Halloween night matchup against the Milwaukee Bucks.
In Other News...
Cavaliers Keep Showing Why Early Deficits May Not Matter
Cleveland kept leaning on the same formula that has already carried it through the first week of the season: survive the rough patches, then take over when the game starts to tighten. The Cavaliers rallied from behind to beat the Wizards 121-111, extending their winning streak to three and getting to a 3-1 start, even after a shaky defensive opening half left them chasing the game.
Evan Mobley again gave Cleveland a steady presence inside and on the perimeter, finishing with 24 points and 12 rebounds, while newcomer Peyton Watson added 22 points in a useful early-season spark. The bigger takeaway for the Cavaliers is that their early deficits have not become panic points, because once the second half arrives, the defensive edge and pace seem to follow. [Read more 🡒]
Cavs Keep Finding A Way And One Breakout Stood Out Again
The Cavaliers kept the good run going with a third straight win, and the latest one again had the feel of a team getting contributions from all over the floor. Evan Mobley was at the center of it, giving Cleveland a big night inside and out while Donovan Mitchell, James Harden and Jarrett Allen each supplied their own kind of support on both ends.
Mobleys growing comfort as a scoring threat has become one of the more encouraging signs in this stretch, especially when the Cavs need someone to steady things offensively without leaning on the same script every night. Peyton Watson also gave the game an early boost, and his scoring surge helped set the tone before Cleveland settled into the kind of balanced performance that has started to make its way into the teams recent wins. [Read more 🡒]
Hawks Could Catch A Break If Cavs Lose Two Key Rotation Pieces
The Cavaliers head into their next matchup with the Hawks trying to extend a winning streak, but the injury report has added a little uncertainty to the rotation. Jaylon Tyson is listed as questionable because of a cervical strain, while Meleek Thomas is also questionable with right foot soreness, and both have been part of the early-season mix for Cleveland as the team looks to keep its momentum going.
Thomas has already been told to expect a larger role, so his status matters beyond just one game, especially for a second unit that could be asked to do more if the Cavaliers are short-handed. With the starters expected to play, Cleveland still has its core intact, but the possible absence of two rotation pieces would be a real variable for a team that has been trying to settle into a rhythm. [Read more 🡒]