Key Takeaways:
- Donovan Mitchell led Cleveland with 30 points in Monday night’s win over Charlotte
- Cavaliers snapped a three-game losing streak, taking a 139-132 victory at Rocket Arena
- LaMelo Ball recorded 23 points and nine assists for the Hornets, sinking six three-pointers
Match Analysis
Donovan Mitchell delivered a standout performance with 30 points as the Cleveland Cavaliers overcame the Charlotte Hornets 139-132, halting their run of three consecutive defeats. The Cavaliers gained momentum in the second half to secure their first home victory after three losses at Rocket Arena, improving their record there to 2-5 since 30 November.
De’Andre Hunter provided a strong contribution, scoring 27 points overall, with 15 coming after the interval. The third quarter proved pivotal, as Hunter remained on the court following a flagrant foul by Moussa Diabate, converting both resulting free throws and then adding a three-pointer to extend Cleveland’s lead to 98-85.
The right way to start off the week. #LetEmKnow
📊 HIGHLIGHTS & STATS: https://t.co/jnPRXx30vy pic.twitter.com/zNTR35XLrk
— Cleveland Cavaliers (@cavs) December 23, 2025
Standout Performances and Statistics
Darius Garland supported the Cavaliers’ offence with 27 points and 10 assists. Dean Wade added 14 points and seven rebounds, while Cleveland’s largest lead reached 131-112 late in the contest.
LaMelo Ball was Charlotte’s top scorer, finishing with 23 points alongside nine assists and six three-pointers. Rookies Kon Knueppel and Brandon Miller each contributed 20 points, and Diabate achieved a season-high 14 rebounds.
| Team | Points | Top Scorer | Assists Leader | Rebounds Leader |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cleveland Cavaliers | 139 | Donovan Mitchell (30) | Darius Garland (10) | Dean Wade (7) |
| Charlotte Hornets | 132 | LaMelo Ball (23) | LaMelo Ball (9) | Moussa Diabate (14) |
Game Flow and Key Moments
The opening half was tightly contested, featuring 12 lead changes and 10 ties, with neither side establishing a double-digit advantage. Mitchell closed the half by banking in a 28-foot effort at the horn, sending Cleveland into the break with a 70-63 margin and 18 points to his name.
For Charlotte, Knueppel and Ball both recorded 15 points by half-time. The Hornets saw centre Mason Plumlee leave in the third quarter with right groin soreness and did not return. Plumlee had started in place of Ryan Kalkbrenner, who was ruled out on game day due to a sprained left elbow.
What’s Next
As the homestand continues, Lonzo Ball added six points and seven assists for Cleveland, ahead of the Cavaliers’ Christmas Day matchup at New York. The Hornets will host Washington on Tuesday, while Cleveland will welcome New Orleans that same evening.
