Cleveland Cavaliers join exclusive group with unbeaten 12-0 start to the season

The Cleveland Cavaliers made history on Monday night, becoming just the eighth team in NBA history to start a season 12-0 after a hard-fought 119-113 win over the Chicago Bulls. In a tense and competitive game in Chicago, the Cavaliers overcame a late deficit to maintain their perfect record and cement their place among an elite group of teams.

Chicago led by as many as nine points with just over four minutes left in the third quarter. However, Cleveland responded with a strong run to take a three-point lead heading into the final period. The Bulls battled back to tie the game at 106-106, but the Cavaliers outscored their opponent down the stretch, securing the victory.

This win marks the best start to a season for the Cavaliers since the 2015-16 Golden State Warriors, who set a then-record 24-0 start en route to a 73-9 regular season. ESPN notes that five of the last seven teams to start the season 12-0 have gone on to reach the NBA Finals, signaling the Cavaliers’ early dominance could translate into deep playoff success.

Cleveland’s 9-0 start to the season was already the best in franchise history, but with the victory over the Bulls, they have now joined a select group of teams that have achieved a perfect start through 12 games. Donovan Mitchell, who scored a game-high 36 points, including seven three-pointers, along with eight rebounds and four steals, expressed his pride in the team’s historic start.

“It’s great to be part of history,” Mitchell said after the game. “I never want to take those things for granted, especially when we’re doing it in different ways — blowing out teams, winning from behind, and winning close games. And it’s someone different every night leading the charge. It’s always a group effort.”

This victory is the second consecutive game in which the Cavaliers have come from behind. On Saturday, they rallied from a 13-point fourth-quarter deficit to defeat the Brooklyn Nets. Mitchell’s leadership was key to both wins, with his scoring ability and all-around contributions continuing to drive Cleveland’s success.

Along with Mitchell, Darius Garland added 17 points, and second-year player Evan Mobley posted a double-double with 15 points and 11 rebounds. Mobley’s versatile game has been a big part of the Cavaliers’ success, particularly on the defensive end.

Cleveland’s first-year head coach, Kenny Atkinson, credited the team’s strong focus and determination as key factors in their perfect start. “This group is locked in,” Atkinson said. “There’s been questions about this group, whether they can take the next step. So, when you have that, it gives you a chip on your shoulder, and you focus even more. There’s a higher level of concentration and attention to detail, and that’s how we’ve gotten to 12-0.”

For the Bulls, Zach LaVine led the way with 26 points, while Coby White and Nikola Vučević each contributed 20 points. Despite their efforts, Chicago’s defense couldn’t contain Cleveland’s offense in the closing moments, and the Cavaliers held on for the win.

With the victory, the Cavaliers improved to 12-0 and now lead the Eastern Conference by 2.5 games over the 9-2 Boston Celtics. The Bulls, meanwhile, dropped to 4-7, sitting in ninth place in the East. Cleveland will look to extend their winning streak as they continue to impress early in the season.

As the season progresses, the Cavaliers will look to prove that their perfect start is not just a fluke, but a sign of a championship-contending team. With their mix of veteran leadership from Mitchell and Garland, young talent like Mobley, and a focused coaching staff, Cleveland is well-positioned to make a deep run in the Eastern Conference this season. Their 12-0 start has been a statement to the league that they are ready to compete with the best teams in the NBA.