Cavaliers’ Dynamic Duo Powers Past Pacers
The Cleveland Cavaliers made a powerful statement to kick off December, dominating the defending Eastern Conference champions in a decisive 135-119 victory over the Indiana Pacers on December 1. The star of the show was an explosive performance from the duo of Donovan Mitchell and Jaylon Tyson, who combined for an impressive 70 points, alongside 20 rebounds and 10 assists.
Mitchell’s Stellar Season Continues
Donovan Mitchell, a seasoned superstar, continues to shine this season. His 43-point outburst against the Pacers elevated his season average to an astounding 30.6 points per game. With shooting percentages of 50.8% from the field and an impressive 81 three-pointers made, Mitchell has etched his name into the record books, becoming only the second player in NBA history to achieve such numbers in the first 20 games of a season. His consistent performance has been a cornerstone for the Cavaliers.
Tyson’s Breakout Moment
While Mitchell garners much of the attention, Jaylon Tyson is quietly crafting an impressive season of his own. The second-year player delivered a career-best performance, contributing 27 points, 11 rebounds, and four assists, all while shooting at an astonishing 76.9% from the field and 80% from beyond the arc. Just a night prior, after a close loss to the Pacers, Tyson had challenged his teammates to elevate their game.
“We could sit here and say we’re frustrated. We’re all professionals here. We just gotta do our job,” Tyson expressed after Sunday’s defeat. “Everybody’s gotta do their job, right? We see it, we talk about it over and over again. We’re gonna do this, we’re gonna do that, and we just don’t execute. So that’s on us, and we gotta find a way to win these games.”
His ability to respond with such a stellar performance the next day underscores his growth and determination.
A Marked Improvement in Performance
In his rookie season, Tyson averaged just 9.6 minutes per game, posting modest numbers: 3.6 points, 2.0 rebounds, and 0.9 assists, with shooting splits of 43% from the field and 34.5% from three. Fast forward to this season, and Tyson is eclipsing those figures significantly. Through 17 games, including 12 starts, he is now averaging 12.4 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 1.8 assists in nearly 27 minutes per game. His shooting has also improved dramatically, boasting 51% from the field and an impressive 48.1% from long range.
Tyson’s performance has been crucial for the Cavaliers, especially with key players like All-Star guard Darius Garland recovering from offseason surgery and reigning Defensive Player of the Year Evan Mobley experiencing inconsistent play. The emergence of Tyson as a reliable second or third scoring option is a significant boost for the team.
Looking Ahead
The Cavaliers will look to build on this momentum when they face off against the Portland Trail Blazers on December 3. With the game set to tip off at Rocket Arena at 7:00 p.m., all eyes will be on Tyson to see if he can continue his upward trajectory and help lead the Cavaliers through a challenging stretch of the season.
