Cavaliers’ Winning Streak Ends Despite Mitchell’s Return

CLEVELAND, Ohio — The Cleveland Cavaliers‘ remarkable winning streak came to an end on March 18, 2025, as they fell 108-103 to the Orlando Magic at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. The loss marked the first defeat in 17 games for the Cavs, despite star guard Donovan Mitchell returning to the lineup.

Before this game, the Cavaliers were noted for having one of the best starts in NBA history, matching the 2015-16 San Antonio Spurs and the 1966-67 Philadelphia 76ers. Head coach Kenny Atkinson emphasized the team’s challenges, focusing on their recent performance without Mitchell during his injury.

“We obviously did not shoot it well, but I told the guys in the locker room, listen, man, 16 in a row. We had a couple of these games where they went our way. This is one that didn’t,” Atkinson said post-game, highlighting the close nature of the contest.

Mitchell scored 23 points, but struggled with his shooting, hitting just 9 of 28 shots from the field and 3 of 14 from beyond the arc. Atkinson noted that the team collectively faced shooting issues, converting only 25% of their three-point attempts, which ultimately hindered their performance against a resilient and youthful Orlando squad.

As the game intensified, Cleveland’s offense lost momentum, leading to difficult shots and missed opportunities. “You want to get the ball into your best players’ hands… This will be a learning film. What could we have done better?” Atkinson reflected, recognizing the need for improved execution in critical moments.

Atkinson also pointed out the effectiveness of Orlando’s defense, stating, “They stay at home on your drives. A lot of teams help in on the penetration… I felt like the second half we didn’t get any cuts; they took away our cut game.”

In addition to Mitchell’s uneven return, the Cavaliers played without another key player, which Atkinson acknowledged as a significant setback for the team’s inside presence. “Without him, Cleveland had no real inside presence, forcing Mitchell and Garland to carry even more of the offensive load,” he explained.

Despite the loss, having Mitchell back remains crucial to the Cavaliers’ ambitions this season, as he averages 24.2 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 4.8 assists per game. While the defeat halted their win streak, Atkinson and the team are looking ahead with the playoffs in mind.

“Yeah, the streak is over. But the season isn’t. ‘The Spida’ is back, the Cavs are still one of the most dangerous teams in the league,” Atkinson said, signaling optimism moving forward.