Now only the 2015-16 Warriors stand between the Cavaliers and NBA history, and that season did not end like Golden State wanted it to despite winning its first 24 games. The Cavaliers on Nov. 17 swatted the Charlotte Hornets, 128-114, at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse to improve to 15-0 and remain the only undefeated team in the 2024-25 NBA season. The 1948-49 Washington Capitols and 1993-94 Houston Rockets also started 15-0. The Rockets went on to win the NBA title in 1994. The 2015-16 Warriors rode their fast start to a 73-9 regular season record, but lost to the Cavaliers in the seventh game of the NBA Finals. Coach Kenny Atkinson praised Darius Garland's "high basketball I.Q." after D.G. took over the fourth quarter with nine points to help the #Cavaliers beat the #Hornets, 128-114, Sunday night. pic.twitter.com/ekNOoZrZqN — Jeff Schudel (@jsproinsider) November 18, 2024 All-Star guard Donovan Mitchell was on the bench in street clothes for the game with the Hornets. He is healthy, but Coach Kenny Atkinson gave him the night off so Mitchell will be well-rested for the showdown with the rival Celtics on Nov. 19 in Boston. Ty Jerome started in Mitchell’s spot and chipped in with 24 points. He scored the first basket of the game on a floating bank shot from seven feet off a pass from Darius Garland. Only Garland with 25 scored more than Jerome. “It’s a real challenge balancing rest and saving guys’ legs and still getting work done,” Atkinson said. “We talked about this two months ago, how we want to manage the season with all our guys — not just Donovan. “Part of it is we have great depth. It’s been proven, so far.” PHOTOS: Cavaliers vs. Hornets, Nov. 17, 2024 The depth was severely tested because Isaac Okoro, who started against the Hornets, was knocked out of the game with an ankle injury in the first half after scoring six points in 14 minutes. An ankle injury in the third quarter ended Dean Wade’s night after Wade scored three points and grabbed four defensive rebounds. Artist @StinaAleah from Cleveland is working on this incredible hand-painted mural of Darius Garland in the FieldHouse concourse today. She has been at it since 10 this morning and wants to be done by the start of the third quarter. #Cavaliers vs. #Hornets starts at 6 p.m. pic.twitter.com/avljWTtsSk — Jeff Schudel (@jsproinsider) November 17, 2024 Evan Mobley was back in action for the game with the Hornets after missing the 114-126 win over the Bulls on Nov. 15 because he was ill. He scored a team-high 16 points in 18 minutes in the first half to help the Cavs to a 72-59 halftime lead. Mobley finished with 23 points and 11 rebounds. The Cavs needed that halftime cushion, because the Hornets sliced the Cleveland lead to 82-79 with 8:06 left in the third quarter on a pull-up 25-foot jump shot from LaMelo Ball. The Cavs surged to a 94-83 lead on a three-pointer by Georges Niang as Garland picked up his 11th assist, but by the end of the third quarter the advantage shrunk to three points again at 102-99. Every time the Hornets chipped into the Cleveland lead in the fourth quarter, the Cavs responded. Mobley grabbed a rebound with 10:45 to play and scored to make it 107-101. A finger-roll layup by Garland 114-105 with 5:55 left. Garland scored nine of his 25 points in the fourth quarter. He finished with 12 assists. Jarrett Allen prepares to dunk during the Cavaliers' victory over the Hornets on Nov. 17. (Tim Phillis - For The News-Herald) The score Cavaliers 128, Hornets 114 Up next: The Cavaliers visit Boston on Nov. 19.