Cleveland Cavaliers Make History with 9-0 Start After Beating New Orleans Pelicans

Wednesday night’s 131-122 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans gave the Cleveland Cavaliers their best season start in franchise history.

At the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, Donovan Mitchell scored 29 points and Jarrett Allen added 16 points and 14 rebounds, allowing Kenny Atkinson’s club to do something no other Cavaliers team has done since Cleveland entered the NBA for the 1970–71 campaign.

The Cavaliers have now topped the 1976–77 team’s 8–0 start thanks to Wednesday’s victory. Before falling to the Washington Bullets in the opening round of the playoffs, Cleveland had a 43-39 record that season.

The Cavaliers also claim that Atkinson is now the first NBA head coach in history to win the first nine games with a new franchise.

Only one of the 57-year-old’s four seasons as the Brooklyn Nets’ head coach ended with a winning record. He subsequently spent the final four years as an assistant coach, first with the Los Angeles Clippers and then with the Golden State Warriors.

When asked if his squad would savor the moment, Atkinson responded, “You have to,” according to NBA.com. “This season goes on forever. Winning in this league is really difficult. Therefore, you must take a moment to appreciate when you do have times like this.

Mitchell was as upbeat as his coach, having been named an NBA All-Star each of the previous five seasons. According to NBA.com, he stated, “It’s just the habits that really get me excited about what we’re doing.” “Being constant is my strongest strength. Let’s remain this team forever.

On Wednesday, the Cavaliers’ motto was “team,” as only one of their five starters failed to score 14 points or more, while their reserves scored 50 points.

According to Atkinson, “everyone contributes.” It’s what successful teams do. Physically, we’re doing well. Mentally, we’re doing well.

“When you win nine in a row, it’s not one or two guys; it’s the whole roster.”

With Jose Alvarado scoring 27 points, including all seven of his three-point attempts, and Zion Williamson scoring 29 points on his comeback from injury, the Pelicans put on a strong show.

Cleveland and New Orleans were evenly matched for the first half, which finished 59-59, but the Cavaliers’ 16-4 burst at the start of the third quarter gave the visiting side the lead.

After the Pelicans rallied with seven points, the Cavaliers led 99-88 at the end of the third quarter thanks to two three-pointers from Darius Garland and one from Sam Merrill.

Midway through the fourth quarter, New Orleans responded once more, bringing Cleveland’s lead down to 112-106; however, Mitchell and Allen’s consecutive baskets made sure the Pelicans would never draw closer than six for the remainder of the game.

Against the Warriors, who own the NBA record for the best start to a season after winning all 24 of their games in 2015–16, the Cavaliers will be looking to extend their run into double figures on Friday.