Mitchell’s Third-Quarter Masterclass Drives Cavaliers 120-105 Past Clippers

Key Takeaways:

• Donovan Mitchell delivered 37 points, five three-pointers, eight rebounds, and six assists in the Cavaliers’ home win
• The Clippers’ Ivica Zubac posted 33 points and 18 rebounds, while James Harden struggled from deep, missing all eight three-point attempts
• Kawhi Leonard returned from a ten-game absence due to a sprained right ankle, scoring 20 points for Los Angeles

Third Quarter Turnaround Seals Victory for Cleveland

The Cleveland Cavaliers relied on Donovan Mitchell’s prolific scoring and orchestrating ability to secure a 120-105 triumph over the Los Angeles Clippers at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. Mitchell was particularly influential in the final stages of the third quarter, responding as the Clippers closed the gap to just one point. He powered a crucial 15-3 run with back-to-back three-point plays, a timely three-pointer, and two assists, establishing a 92-79 advantage as the third period ended.

Ended the home stand with a dub! #LetEmKnow

📊 HIGHLIGHTS & STATS: https://t.co/71w8c4S3DA

— Cleveland Cavaliers (@cavs) November 24, 2025

Key Player Performances

Mitchell finished the night with 37 points, including five three-pointers, while adding eight rebounds and six assists to his tally. Evan Mobley contributed 18 points and 10 rebounds in the frontcourt, and De’Andre Hunter chipped in 17 points, helping Cleveland conclude their six-game homestand with a 4-2 record despite significant absences.

The Clippers were led by Ivica Zubac who amassed 33 points – just two shy of his career best – alongside 18 rebounds. Kawhi Leonard made his presence felt in his return from injury, posting 20 points after missing ten games with a sprained right ankle; Los Angeles recorded a 2-8 mark during his spell on the sidelines. James Harden, fresh from notching a franchise-record 55 points against Charlotte on Saturday, endured a tough evening from long distance, missing all eight of his three-point attempts and finishing with 19 points.

Rotation Adjustments and Notable Moments

Cleveland contended with key injuries, as Jarrett Allen (finger), Lonzo Ball (knee), Sam Merrill (hand), and Craig Porter Jr. (hamstring) were all sidelined. The Cavaliers have now used 10 different starting lineups as they have navigated ongoing fitness concerns across the roster.

For the Clippers, Chris Paul added five assists in 17 minutes off the bench. Following his retirement announcement on Saturday via social media, Paul – a 12-time All-Star – was warmly received by the Cleveland crowd upon his introduction.

Looking Ahead

The Clippers will visit the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday night, while the Cavaliers are scheduled to travel to Toronto for their next fixture on Monday night.