Cavaliers Take Game 1 Behind Mitchell’s 32-Point Performance.

The Cleveland Cavaliers opened their Eastern Conference first-round playoff series with a strong 126–113 victory over the Toronto Raptors. Led by Donovan Mitchell’s 32-point performance, Cleveland controlled much of the game and secured an early series advantage. Mitchell continued his trend of dominant playoff debuts, marking his ninth consecutive series opener with at least 30 points. Max Strus provided a major boost off the bench, scoring 24 points in what became a playoff career-high performance. Strus, who missed much of the season due to a broken foot, played a key role in energizing the team. James Harden contributed 22 points and 10 assists, while Evan Mobley added 17 points and seven rebounds. Toronto was led by RJ Barrett with 24 points and Scottie Barnes with 21. The Raptors, however, were without starting guard Immanuel Quickley due to a hamstring injury. Jamal Shead stepped into the starting lineup and scored 17 points, including five three-pointers. The game remained competitive early, with Toronto closing the gap to 45–41 late in the second quarter. Cleveland responded with a decisive 27–9 run that stretched into the third quarter, effectively shifting momentum. Strus played a central role during this stretch, scoring 11 points and hitting multiple three-pointers as the Cavaliers found their rhythm offensively.

Cleveland extended its lead to as many as 24 points early in the fourth quarter, putting the game out of reach. While Toronto entered the matchup as one of the league’s top fast-break scoring teams, Cleveland’s defense limited their transition opportunities and forced inefficient offensive possessions. After the game, Cavaliers coach Kenny Atkinson emphasized the importance of maintaining confidence and execution, especially during critical runs. Raptors coach Darko Rajaković, meanwhile, pointed to defensive struggles and a lack of offensive movement as key factors in the loss. With the win, Cleveland takes a 1–0 lead in the series and will look to build on its momentum in Game 2, which will also be played at home.