Donovan Mitchell and Cavs’ Length Prove Challenging as Warriors Suffer First Road Loss, 115-104

The Golden State Warriors faced a tough challenge on Sunday night, succumbing to the Cleveland Cavaliers with a final score of 115-104. This loss marked the Warriors’ first setback on the road during the young season, leaving them with a 5-2 record. They now trail the Denver Nuggets by 1.5 games in the race for the top spot in the Western Conference standings.

While the Warriors’ bench has been a vital contributor early in the season, it was the trio of Splash Brothers and Draymond Green who prevented the Cavs from running away with a commanding lead in the first half. The Cavaliers’ exceptional length disrupted the Warriors’ offensive efforts throughout the game, causing all players (except Steph Curry) to have a subpar shooting night.

Steph Curry led the Warriors with 28 points, making seven of his 11 three-point attempts. Nevertheless, Curry encountered difficulties against the formidable Cleveland defense, committing six turnovers and converting only one field goal inside the arc.

Despite Cleveland’s defensive challenges, the Warriors did not shy away from attacking the basket. Although their overall shooting percentage was disappointing at 35.8%, they remained competitive by consistently drawing fouls and getting to the free-throw line. The Warriors attempted 30 free throws on Sunday but made only 20 of them.

In the second half, rookie center Trayce Jackson-Davis and third-year wing Jonathan Kuminga provided crucial contributions off the bench. Jackson-Davis made a notable impact with a Warriors-high +8 in slightly over 11 minutes of play, making a strong case for more consistent involvement in head coach Steve Kerr’s rotation.

Throughout the game, the Warriors managed to stay within striking distance of the Cavaliers, frequently closing the gap to five or six points in the fourth quarter. However, they were unable to orchestrate the crucial run needed to tie the game or seize the lead. Instead, the Cavaliers’ All-Star guards, Darius Garland and Donovan Mitchell, consistently delivered pivotal plays that extinguished any momentum the Warriors were building.

The Warriors’ road trip continues with a game against the Detroit Pistons on the second half of a back-to-back tomorrow night. The tip-off is scheduled for 4:00 PM Pacific time.