Cavaliers Rest Starters to Beat Mavericks as Hezonja Shines With 22 Points
Resting all starters due to travel chaos, the Cleveland Cavaliers defeated the Dallas Mavericks 127-117 as Mario Hezonja scored 22 points amid a humorous arena introduction blunder.
The Cleveland Cavaliers overcame severe travel disruptions and rested their entire starting lineup to secure a 127-117 victory over the Dallas Mavericks. Following a 133-121 loss in Miami and widespread US flight delays, star guard Donovan Mitchell reportedly urged league officials to cancel the matchup due to the compressed schedule. To avoid risking key players, coaching staff sidelined the entire starting five, handing control to a bench unit that ultimately overpowered Kyrie Irving and Cooper Flagg's squad.
Hezonja Stars Amid Contract Milestone
A central figure in the unexpected win was forward Mario Hezonja, who returned to the NBA this summer after a six-year stint in Europe. Hezonja poured in 22 points, marking his highest-scoring performance since returning to North America. The timing coincided with a critical financial milestone, as his $2.8 million veteran minimum contract officially became fully guaranteed, putting an end to speculation about a potential return to European clubs like Hapoel Tel Aviv, which had previously monitored his status.
An Awkward Introduction Blunder
The evening also featured an amusing gaffe during the pre-game player introductions. Arena staff introduced Hezonja—who spent the last four seasons starring for Real Madrid—as "Mario Hezonja from Barcelona." The mistake stemmed from NBA convention, which traditionally lists the European club a player represented before entering the league for the first time, echoing his 2015 draft entry rather than his recent Spanish powerhouse career.
