The Cleveland Cavaliers demonstrated their offensive firepower on Tuesday evening, dispatching a depleted Milwaukee Bucks squad 123-116 in what proved to be a closely contested affair throughout the night. The victory marked an impressive opening salvo for Cleveland's three-game road journey, showcasing their ability to win even when key contributors were sidelined.
Evan Mobley led the charge for the Cavaliers with an all-around performance that included 27 points alongside a season-best 15 rebounds, effectively controlling the glass against a Bucks team already hamstrung by injuries. James Harden matched Mobley's scoring output with his own 27 points, providing the perimeter scoring punch that proved decisive down the stretch. Donovan Mitchell chipped in 19 points of his own, while Sam Merrill's return to action following a two-game absence due to left hamstring tightness yielded 17 important points off the bench.
Milwaukee's task was made considerably more difficult by the absence of two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo, who sat out with a left knee hyperextension and bone bruise. The absence marked Antetokounmpo's 32nd game missed this season—a career-high total. The Bucks' record without their franchise player this season stands at a troubling 11-21. Compounding Milwaukee's roster challenges, starting forward Myles Turner was unavailable due to a right calf strain, leaving the Bucks stretched thin on both ends of the floor. For Cleveland, Jarrett Allen continued his absence, missing his sixth consecutive game because of tendinitis in his right knee.
The contest itself remained competitive throughout, with the teams combining for 11 ties and 16 lead changes before Cleveland managed to seize control. The decisive moment arrived when Merrill knocked down a crucial 3-pointer with 6:55 remaining, giving the Cavaliers a 103-100 advantage. That shot ignited an 8-0 run that provided the breathing room Cleveland would ultimately need. Though Milwaukee made a brief push, trimmed the deficit to 110-106 on an Ousmane Dieng 3-pointer with 3:39 left, the Cavaliers responded with seven consecutive points to put the game essentially out of reach. Cleveland maintained at least a five-point cushion for the remainder of the fourth quarter.
Kevin Porter Jr. led Milwaukee's efforts with a well-rounded contribution of 25 points and 10 assists, while Dieng, Bobby Portis, and Ryan Rollins each scored 19 points. Making his first start of the season, Taurean Prince appeared in 22 minutes and contributed eight points—a notable return following his earlier comeback from November neck surgery to repair a herniated disk. Despite playing in just 10 games overall this season, Prince's presence showed the Bucks' determination to piece together a functional roster.
The Bucks' bench unit delivered an impressive performance, outscoring Cleveland's reserves 57-24, and Milwaukee demonstrated strong perimeter accuracy by connecting on 20 of 45 three-point attempts. However, the Cavaliers compensated through superior free-throw execution, converting 27 of 34 attempts from the charity stripe while Milwaukee made 12 of 17.
Both teams now turn their attention to Thursday evening matchups, with the Cavaliers traveling to Chicago while the Bucks head to Utah. For Cleveland, the road victory provides crucial momentum heading into the next leg of their journey against a struggling Bulls team.