MIAMI, USA – The
Cleveland Cavaliers started 2026 on the right foot by defeating the
Denver Nuggets 113-108, achieving their
third consecutive victory in an
NBA day marked by outstanding individual performances and important absences.
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Cavaliers respond in the closing
With
Donovan Mitchell as the main figure, scoring
33 points in 35 minutes, Cleveland prevailed in a full
Rocket Arena with 19,432 fans. The Cavaliers adjusted their defense in the last quarter, limiting Denver to just
11 points, after being surpassed for much of the game.
The victory came without the presence of
Nikola Jokic, who will be out for approximately four weeks due to discomfort in his left knee. Despite this, the Nuggets managed to have a lead of more than ten points in the third period.
“We didn’t play at our level for the first three quarters, but the key was to keep defending,” Mitchell said after the game. Darius Garland added 18 points, while for Denver, Jamal Murray led with 34 units, with 43% effectiveness in field goals.
Hawks capitalize on Towns’ absence
In Atlanta, the
Hawks defeated the
New York Knicks 111-99, who suffered their
second consecutive loss, this time without the Dominican
Karl-Anthony Towns, absent due to illness.
Onyeka Okongwu and
Nickeil Alexander-Walker led the Hawks’ offense with
23 points each. Atlanta took control of the game from the end of the first quarter, extending their lead to as many as 26 points, although the Knicks managed to reduce it in the final stretch.
Fox leads the Spurs
The
San Antonio Spurs got their
25th win of the season by defeating the
Indiana Pacers 123-113, in their first game without
Victor Wembanyama, who suffered a hyperextension in his left knee.
Guard
De’Aaron Fox took over the offensive leadership with
24 points, followed by
Dylan Harper, who contributed
22 from the bench. San Antonio maintains a solid performance against teams with a negative record, with a record of
15-1 in those matchups.
For their part, the Pacers extended their losing streak to
11 consecutive defeats, remaining in last place in the Eastern Conference.
