Overview
- Cleveland seized control after six early Philadelphia turnovers, led wire to wire, and pushed the advantage to as many as 30.
- Donovan Mitchell posted 35 points and nine assists; Darius Garland added 20 and seven before a late third‑quarter exit with a right foot injury.
- Joel Embiid scored 20 points and hit a three to reach 13,000 career points, while Tyrese Maxey was limited to 14.
- This was the first game of a two‑game set between tightly packed East rivals, with Cleveland missing Max Strus and Dean Wade and the Sixers’ Joel Embiid, Paul George and VJ Edgecombe playing after being listed as probable.
- The teams play again Friday in Philadelphia, putting Garland’s status and potential lineup adjustments under the microscope for seeding implications.