CLEVELAND — In a nail-biting finish, the Cleveland Cavaliers narrowly defeated the San Antonio Spurs 117-115 on Sunday. The game was a showcase of skill and resilience, with Jarrett Allen leading the Cavaliers with a dominant performance of 29 points and 16 rebounds. Caris LeVert added a significant 23 points off the bench, contributing to Cleveland’s hard-fought victory.
The Spurs’ top draft pick, Victor Wembanyama, continued his impressive rookie season, scoring 24 points along with 10 rebounds and five blocks in just 25 minutes. The 7-foot-3 French sensation, known for his defensive prowess, leads the NBA in blocks and ranks at the top among rookies in scoring, rebounding, and steals. Wembanyama’s respect for Allen was evident postgame, praising him as a player he admires for his efficiency and hard work on the court.
Allen’s recent form has been a key factor in the Cavaliers’ success, averaging 21.0 points and 15.7 rebounds over the last seven games. This performance streak has led to three consecutive wins for Cleveland, with Coach J.B. Bickerstaff touting Allen as a deserving All-Star.
The fourth quarter was a rollercoaster, highlighted by a series of spectacular blocks from Wembanyama and Allen. The Cavaliers pulled ahead with a 111-95 lead, only for the Spurs to mount a remarkable 20-6 run, culminating in a tense final minute where they trailed by just two points. San Antonio had chances to clinch the game, but critical errors, including a turnover and a missed long-range shot by Jeremy Sochan in the dying seconds, sealed their fate.
San Antonio, struggling with one of the worst records in the NBA at 5-30, showed resilience despite the loss. Cleveland’s Sam Merrill impressed with 18 points, and Donovan Mitchell contributed 17 points and nine assists. The Cavaliers’ resilience is noteworthy, especially considering the absence of key players Darius Garland and Evan Mobley due to injuries.
For the Spurs, Devin Vassell led with 22 points, supported by Tre Jones and Keldon Johnson, each adding 18 points. Former Cavaliers forward Cedi Osman, returning to Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse, scored nine points and grabbed six rebounds.
Coach Gregg Popovich of the Spurs acknowledged the team’s strong defensive effort in the game’s final minutes. The first quarter saw the Spurs take an early lead with Vassell scoring 12 points, but Cleveland’s comeback, fueled by Merrill’s five 3-pointers, saw them enter halftime ahead.
Looking ahead, the Spurs will face Detroit on Wednesday, while the Cavaliers are set for an international showdown against Brooklyn in Paris on Thursday.
