So, you’re looking for the final tally. You probably woke up, grabbed your phone, and typed in what was the score of the cavs game last night because you missed the fourth quarter or the game went way too late for a weeknight.
The Cleveland Cavaliers just finished a massive clash at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse against the Boston Celtics on Saturday, January 17, 2026. This wasn't just another mid-season slog. It was a statement. The Cavs took the win with a final score of 118-112.
Winning is one thing. Beating the Celtics in a physical, grind-it-out game is something else entirely. Donovan Mitchell was absolutely locked in, dropping 34 points and looking like the MVP candidate everyone in Northeast Ohio knows he is. But the real story wasn't just the scoring; it was the way Cleveland closed.
Breaking Down the 118-112 Victory
Basketball is a game of runs. We hear it every broadcast, but last night it felt like a rollercoaster. The first half was ugly. Both teams looked like they were running through mud. The Cavs entered the locker room at halftime down by six, and the vibe in the arena was... well, it was tense.
Then the third quarter happened.
Evan Mobley started asserting himself in the paint. He’s no longer just a "defensive specialist" or a "promising young big." He’s a force. Mobley finished with 22 points and 14 rebounds, but his three blocks in the third quarter flipped the momentum. It sparked a 14-2 run that blew the roof off the building.
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Boston didn't go away. Jayson Tatum is too good for that. He kept finding ways to get to the line, and for a minute there in the middle of the fourth, it looked like the Cavs might choke it away. They didn't. Darius Garland hit a massive step-back three with about two minutes left that basically iced it.
Honestly, it’s the kind of win that makes you think this team is built for a deep May run. They didn't rely on just one guy. They defended. They rebounded. They won the "ugly" minutes.
Why the Score of the Cavs Game Last Night Matters for the Standings
If you’re tracking the Eastern Conference, this result is huge. Before tip-off, the Cavs were sitting in the third seed, trailing the Celtics by just two games. With this 118-112 win, Cleveland narrows that gap significantly.
We’ve seen this movie before where the Cavs look great in November and December but fall apart when the schedule gets heavy in January. Not this time. This victory marks their fifth straight win. They are currently 32-11. That’s a legitimate pace for a 60-win season.
The East is a gauntlet. Between the Bucks, the Celtics, and the surging Knicks, there is no room for error. Winning the tiebreaker against Boston could be the difference between having Game 7 at home or having to travel to TD Garden in the playoffs. Nobody wants to play in Boston in May if they can avoid it.
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The Mitchell Factor
Donovan Mitchell is playing some of the most efficient basketball of his career. He isn't just chucking shots. Last night, he shot 12-of-21 from the floor. He was decisive. When the double-team came, he swung the ball to the open man.
A lot of people wondered if Mitchell and Garland could truly coexist at an elite level. There were those rumors a year ago about fit and chemistry. Last night put those to bed. Garland’s 9 assists were perfectly timed. He’s the floor general, and Mitchell is the closer. It’s a terrifying 1-2 punch for any opposing coach to gameplan against.
Defensive Masterclass in the Final Minutes
Let's talk about Jarrett Allen.
He doesn't get the headlines. He isn't flashy. But his presence in the final four minutes was the reason the score stayed in Cleveland's favor. The Celtics tried to attack the rim repeatedly, and Allen was a wall. He ended the night with 4 blocks.
Cleveland’s defensive rating is currently top three in the NBA. That isn't a fluke. Head coach Kenny Atkinson has installed a system that prizes lateral movement and aggressive switching. It’s exhausting to play against. You could see the Celtics players huffing and puffing by the time the final whistle blew.
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What Most Fans Missed
If you only saw the box score, you missed the hustle plays. Isaac Okoro had a diving save in the second quarter that didn't lead to a basket, but it kept the possession alive and wore down the Boston defense. Those are the "hidden" stats.
Also, the bench. Caris LeVert provided 15 points off the pine. You need that. You can't expect the starters to carry the load for 48 minutes every single night. The depth of this roster is arguably its greatest strength.
Taking Action: What to do Next
Watching the Cavs right now is a blast, but don't just settle for checking the score the next morning.
- Check the Injury Report: Max Strus is nearing a return from that nagging ankle injury. Keep an eye on the official team updates because his floor spacing will change how teams defend Mitchell.
- Secure Playoff Tickets Early: If you're planning on being at the FieldHouse for the postseason, prices are already starting to climb on secondary markets like StubHub and SeatGeek.
- Watch the Next Matchup: The Cavs head to Miami for a back-to-back on Monday. These "trap games" after a big win are where young teams often stumble. See if they can maintain the intensity.
- Adjust Your Fantasy Roster: If Evan Mobley is still somehow undervalued in your league, trade for him now. His offensive usage is trending upward, and he's becoming a nightly double-double lock.
The Cleveland Cavaliers are officially a problem for the rest of the league. Last night was the proof.