The Cleveland Cavaliers continued their impressive run as they defeated the San Antonio Spurs 124-116 on Thursday, March 27, 2025, at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. The victory marks the Cavaliers' third consecutive win, improving their record to 59-14, while the Spurs fell to 31-41, suffering their second straight loss.
Jarrett Allen was the star of the night for Cleveland, scoring a game-high 29 points and grabbing 15 rebounds. His dominant performance in the paint helped the Cavaliers maintain control throughout the game, especially when the Spurs made a late-game push. Darius Garland also played a crucial role, contributing 25 points, 14 assists, and eight rebounds, including five key points in the final 1:16 of the match.
The game started with Cleveland taking an early lead, finishing the first quarter with a 30-24 advantage. Donovan Mitchell, who scored 15 points by halftime, helped push the margin to 46-30 with a three-pointer. However, the Spurs fought back, closing the gap to 50-47 with a running layup from Jeremy Sochan just before the halftime buzzer, leaving the score at 54-49 in favor of the Cavaliers.
As the third quarter unfolded, San Antonio began to find their rhythm. They surged ahead at one point, taking an 81-79 lead when Devin Vassell hit a pair of free throws with 1:47 left in the quarter. But the Cavaliers responded well, finishing the period strong with five points from Sam Merrill and a dunk from Mitchell, reclaiming an 86-83 lead heading into the final quarter.
In the fourth quarter, the Spurs briefly took the lead again, going up 104-102 after a three-pointer from Stephon Castle with 6:25 remaining. However, the Cavaliers quickly countered with a nine-point run, regaining control and never trailing again. The Spurs managed to close the gap to 117-114 after a layup from Harrison Barnes with 1:41 left, but Garland's timely three-pointer and a finger-roll layup sealed the deal for Cleveland.
For the Spurs, Castle led the team with 22 points, 11 rebounds, and eight assists, showcasing his versatility. Devin Vassell also contributed significantly, matching Castle's 22 points and hitting four three-pointers. Keldon Johnson added 17 points and 10 rebounds, while Julian Champagnie and Jeremy Sochan chipped in with 16 and 13 points, respectively.
Despite the loss, the Spurs displayed resilience against the Eastern Conference's top team, forcing the Cavaliers into 14 turnovers and limiting their shooting to 46.5% from the field and 35.4% from three-point range. This performance highlighted the Spurs' potential as they prepare for their next challenge against the defending champion Celtics.
As the regular season nears its end, both teams are navigating through injury challenges. The Cavaliers were without Evan Mobley, Ty Jerome, and rookie Jaylon Tyson due to various injuries, while the Spurs missed De'Aaron Fox and Victor Wembanyama for the remainder of the season. Head coach Kenny Atkinson emphasized the importance of maintaining player health as the playoffs approach, stating, "I think it’s part of my job to help guys stay healthy. Our number one goal is to keep these guys healthy. That’s a huge, huge advantage if we can go through these playoffs with a healthy roster."
With just ten games remaining in the regular season, the Cavaliers are focused on securing their position for a deep playoff run. Their strategic approach to rest and recovery for key players like Mobley has become a hallmark of their season, ensuring they are primed for the postseason. The Spurs, on the other hand, are looking to bounce back and regain momentum as they continue their road trip.
As the final buzzer sounded, it was evident that the Cavaliers are not just aiming for a successful April but are also positioning themselves for a strong finish in May and June. With players like Allen and Garland stepping up, they are proving to be a formidable force in the league.
Looking ahead, the Cavaliers will need to maintain their focus and composure as they prepare for their next match. Meanwhile, the Spurs will aim to regroup and come back stronger against the Celtics, hoping to turn their fortunes around in the final stretch of the season.
