Darius Garland led the Cleveland Cavaliers to a nail-biting 116-114 win over the Milwaukee Bucks, maintaining Cleveland’s perfect 8-0 record. Garland delivered a clutch step-back three-pointer in the final minute to give the Cavs a 113-111 edge, finishing with 39 points on the night. He then assisted Jarrett Allen for a crucial layup that helped seal the victory. Despite Milwaukee’s fightback, led by Damian Lillard’s 36 points, the Bucks fell short, suffering their sixth consecutive loss.
The Cavs’ strong start matches their franchise-best opening, last achieved in 1976. Garland acknowledged the difficulty of maintaining an unbeaten run, while Allen contributed significantly with 14 points, 15 rebounds, and a game-winning block on Lillard with just seconds left.
Thunder, Warriors, and Pistons Secure Wins
The Oklahoma City Thunder extended their unbeaten record to 7-0 with a dominant 102-86 win over the Orlando Magic, holding their fifth opponent under 95 points. Jalen Williams scored 23 points, while Shai Gilgeous-Alexander added 21 for the Thunder, who lead the Western Conference.
Elsewhere, Cade Cunningham recorded a triple-double (17 points, 11 rebounds, 11 assists) as the Detroit Pistons upset the Los Angeles Lakers 115-103. Despite Anthony Davis’s 37-point effort, the Lakers couldn’t close the gap after Cunningham and Jaden Ivey (26 points) led the Pistons to a steady victory. Stephen Curry returned from injury to lead the Golden State Warriors past the Wizards with 24 points in a 125-112 win.
Durant and Jokic Deliver Game-Winners
In Phoenix, Kevin Durant scored 35 points, including a decisive layup with 24 seconds left, as the Suns edged the Philadelphia 76ers 118-116. Phoenix thwarted Philadelphia’s comeback, led by Paul George in his debut for the team. Meanwhile, reigning MVP Nikola Jokic’s triple-double (28 points, 14 rebounds, 13 assists) powered the Denver Nuggets to a 121-119 win over the Toronto Raptors.
Jayson Tatum also starred, scoring 28 points in the Boston Celtics’ 123-93 rout over the Atlanta Hawks, while Domantas Sabonis’s last-second put-back secured a dramatic 111-110 win for the Sacramento Kings over the Miami Heat. The Utah Jazz celebrated their first win of the season, defeating the Chicago Bulls 135-126, snapping a six-game losing streak.
