Cleveland Cavaliers make historic 9-0 start with victory over New Orleans Pelicans

The Cleveland Cavaliers made franchise history on Wednesday night with a 131-122 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans, marking a perfect 9-0 start to the 2024-2025 NBA season. This impressive win surpassed the team’s previous best start of 8-0, which was set by the 1976-77 Cavs. That year, Cleveland finished with a 43-39 record but was eliminated in the first round of the playoffs. The victory also made Cavaliers head coach Kenny Atkinson the first NBA coach ever to win his first nine games with a new team.

Donovan Mitchell was instrumental in the win, scoring 29 points to lead the charge. Center Jarrett Allen added a double-double performance with 16 points and 14 rebounds. Atkinson’s Cavaliers have now achieved a remarkable feat that no other Cleveland team has managed since the franchise entered the NBA in 1970. Atkinson, a former Brooklyn Nets head coach, had a mixed record in Brooklyn but has clearly turned things around with the Cavs, bringing them to new heights. Before taking over in Cleveland, Atkinson spent four years as an assistant coach with the Los Angeles Clippers and Golden State Warriors.

After the game, Atkinson was quick to emphasize the importance of celebrating the moment, despite the long season ahead. “You have to,” he said when asked about enjoying the team’s success. “This season’s so long. It’s so hard to win in this league. So, when you do have moments like this, you have to celebrate a little.” His players echoed the same positive energy. Mitchell, an NBA All-Star for the past five seasons, credited the team’s consistency and strong habits for their success. “It’s just the habits that really get me excited about what we’re doing,” he said. “My biggest thing is just being consistent. Let’s continually be this team.”

Cleveland’s balanced performance was key to the win. The Cavs’ bench contributed a massive 50 points, highlighting the depth of the team. Only one of their starting five failed to score at least 14 points. “Everyone contributes,” said Atkinson after the game. “It’s what good teams do. We’re in a good place physically. We’re in a good place mentally. When you win nine in a row, it’s not one or two guys; it’s the whole roster.”

The Pelicans, despite the loss, put up a strong fight. Zion Williamson, returning from injury, scored 29 points, while guard Jose Alvarado had a sensational shooting performance, hitting all seven of his three-point attempts to finish with 27 points. New Orleans kept pace with Cleveland through the first half, which ended in a 59-59 tie. However, the Cavaliers seized control early in the second half, with a 16-4 run to open the third quarter. This gave them a 75-63 lead that they would not relinquish.

The Pelicans attempted to rally, trimming Cleveland’s lead to 112-106 midway through the fourth quarter, but back-to-back baskets from Mitchell and Allen put the game out of reach for New Orleans. The Cavaliers never allowed the Pelicans to close the gap to fewer than six points for the remainder of the game.

Looking ahead, the Cavaliers will aim to extend their perfect start on Friday when they face the Golden State Warriors, who hold the NBA record for the best start to a season with a 24-0 run in 2015-16. Cleveland’s remarkable 9-0 start has drawn attention across the league, and fans are hopeful that the Cavs can continue this early-season success as the campaign unfolds. The team’s strong all-around performances and leadership under Atkinson suggest that they could be a serious contender in the Eastern Conference this season.