CLEVELAND – Jarrett Allen scored a season-high 29 points, Donovan Mitchell had a career-high 14 assists and the Cleveland Cavaliers looked more comfortable back home, holding off the San Antonio Spurs 124-116 on Thursday night.
Allen went 10 of 11 from the floor and added 16 rebounds for Cleveland, which went 2-4 on a just-completed six-game trip out West.
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Mitchell scored 25 and flirted with his first career triple-double, finishing with eight rebounds.
Allen’s three-point play — on an assist from Mitchell — put the Cavs up 117-112 and Darius Garland’s 3-pointer put the Spurs away with 1:16 left.
Rookie Stephon Castle and Devin Vassell had 22 points apiece for the Spurs, who are fighting to make the Western Conference play-in.
The Cavs rested All-Star forward Evan Mobley. Superb sixth man Ty Jerome sat out with a sore left knee.
Takeaways
Spurs: According to a report in France’s LeEquipe, star Victor Wembanyama underwent surgery to correct the deep vein thrombosis in his shoulder, an ailment that sidelined him for the rest of this season. Interim coach Mitch Johnson did not have an update on Wembanyama. “We’re going to keep his plan and program in house for now,” Johnson said.
Cavaliers: Mitchell’s recent shooting issues (he came in 3 of 29 on 3s) may have some Cleveland fans on edge, but coach Kenny Atkinson isn’t worried about the All-Star, likening his struggles to a baseball slugger in a slump.
Key moment
With the Cavs leading by two, Mitchell had an open wing 3-pointer, but instead rifled his pass inside to Allen for the game’s biggest bucket and assist No. 14.
Key stat
Mitchell has played in 534 games and is still missing a triple-double from his resume.
Up next
The Spurs host Boston on Saturday. The Cavs play a back-to-back, visiting Detroit on Friday night.