The Cleveland Cavaliers faced disappointment after a 119-111 overtime defeat to the Charlotte Hornets, marking their fourth loss in five home games. Donovan Mitchell acknowledged the fans' frustration, stating, "We deserve it. I was a fan once. I would boo us, too. " The Cavaliers now hold a 15-12 record in the NBA.
Despite Darius Garland's impressive 26 points and Mitchell contributing 17 points with seven assists, Cleveland struggled. They managed to tie the game at 111-111 but failed to score in overtime, missing all 10 shots. As the game concluded, many fans had already left Rocket Arena, while those remaining expressed their discontent vocally.
Mitchell candidly admitted his performance was lacking, saying, "I had one of those nights on a night and situation
when I'm not allowed to. If I play better, we win that game. Put this one on me. " He emphasised that no one should feel sorry for them and stressed the importance of team unity despite current challenges.
Final. pic.twitter.com/Y4mrlHY7Ip
- Cleveland Cavaliers (@cavs) December 14, 2025
The Cavaliers have faced difficulties this season due to injuries despite being championship contenders. Last season under Kenny Atkinson, they began with a perfect 15-0 run but were eventually defeated by the Indiana Pacers in the Eastern Conference semifinals.
Garland's response to their recent loss was straightforward: "No excuse. " The team remains hopeful that by staying united in the locker room, they can overcome these setbacks and improve their performance as the season progresses.
