Mitchell Shines as Cavaliers Overwhelm 76ers but Garland Forced Off with Foot Setback - Sportingpedia - Latest Sports News From All Over the World

Key Takeaways:

Donovan Mitchell registered 35 points and 9 assists as Cleveland defeated Philadelphia 133-107 on Wednesday night
Darius Garland posted 20 points before exiting in the third quarter with a right foot injury
Joel Embiid scored his 13,000th career point, becoming the seventh player in 76ers history to reach the milestone

Mitchell Leads the Charge in Philadelphia

The Cleveland Cavaliers secured a commanding 133-107 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers on Wednesday night, fuelled by an outstanding performance from Donovan Mitchell. The guard amassed 35 points and 9 assists, driving Cleveland past the Sixers in the opening match of a two-game series.

Garland’s Injury Clouds Cavs’ Dominant Evening

Despite his team’s decisive triumph, the Cavaliers’ evening was tempered by concern for Darius Garland. The All-Star posted 20 points but was forced out late in the third quarter after injuring his right foot while diving for a loose ball. Garland, who underwent surgery in June on his left big toe following Cleveland’s postseason exit, has recently found form, averaging 17.9 points per game after a slow start to the season.

THAT'S A DUB. #LetEmKnow
📊 HIGHLIGHTS & STATS: https://t.co/O1KpH7IFLf pic.twitter.com/sEJyMIRopA
— Cleveland Cavaliers (@cavs) January 15, 2026

On the night, Garland continued his resurgence, shooting 8-for-13 from the floor against Philadelphia. Across the regular season, he averaged 20.6 points and 6.7 assists, significantly contributing to Cleveland finishing atop the Eastern Conference.

Embiid Reaches Scoring Landmark Amid Sixers’ Struggles

Joel Embiid scored 20 points for Philadelphia, including a 3-pointer that elevated him to 13,000 career points. Embiid now stands as the seventh player in 76ers history to achieve this mark. Paul George added 17 points for the Sixers, though the home fans voiced their disappointment, booing the team off the court during a third-quarter timeout with a 75-53 deficit.

Momentum Swings but Cavaliers Maintain Control

The Sixers attempted to rally with a 10-0 run, courtesy of Tyrese Maxey and Quintin Grimes each hitting a pair of three-pointers, and Embiid, who earlier found himself in the crowd after a hustling play, draining another shot from deep to narrow the gap to 79-66. However, Cleveland swiftly regained momentum, expanding their lead to 22 points midway through the final period and prompting many in the Wells Fargo Center to head for the exits.

Additional Performances and Injury Concerns

De’Andre Hunter sparked Cleveland early, knocking down multiple threes to help build a 30-14 advantage. The Cavaliers held a 60-47 edge at halftime, bolstered by Hunter and Evan Mobley each scoring 17 points. Mobley also dominated the boards, pulling down 13 rebounds.

Philadelphia suffered another setback when forward Dom Barlow required assistance off the court and into the locker room after landing hard during a driving layup, resulting in a back contusion.