The Golden State Warriors (12-12) overcame a terrible first-quarter showing and returned to the win column with a wild 99-94 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers (14-11) on December 7.
Here are the key stats and the top performers of the game:
BEST PLAYER OF THE GAME:
Pat Spencer GSW PG 19 PTS | 4 REB | 7 AST | 36.3 FPS
Spencer got his first start of the season and delivered his career-high in scoring. He’s also stepped up as a major contributor over their last three games, averaging 17.3 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 5.7 assists.
BREAKOUT PERFORMANCE:
Quinten Post GSW C 10 PTS | 9 REB | 3 BLK | 34.3 FPS
Post finished with his eighth double-digit scoring performance and his best rebounding game of the season.
SCORING MACHINES:
Donovan Mitchell CLE SG 29 PTS | 4 REB | 3 AST | 39.3 FPS
Mitchell led the charge, pouring in 16 points in the fourth quarter to reach the 25-point mark for the fifth time in his last six games. He was also lethal from deep, knocking down at least six threes for the third time this season.
Darius Garland CLE PG 17 PTS | 5 REB | 2 STL | 32.0 FPS
DG continued to struggle from the perimeter, shooting just 1-for-6 from deep after a 1-for-8 performance against the Blazers. Still, he remains a capable scorer, surpassing 15 points for the fifth time this season.
STAT SPECIALIST:
Evan Mobley CLE PF 18 PTS | 10 REB | 1 BLK | 36.5 FPS
Mobley missed all five of his attempts from deep, but still finished with at least 15 points for the fifth time in his last six games. He also recorded his third straight game with 10 rebounds and his fourth consecutive outing with multiple stocks. However, he was less productive as a playmaker today after posting five assists in each of his previous three games.
DEFENSIVE STANDOUT:
Nae’Qwan Tomlin CLE PF 12 REB | 2 STL | 1 BLK | 27.9 FPS
Tomlin made his presence felt on defense, posting his career-high in rebounds while also tallying multiple steals for the third time in his last four games.
THE SHARPSHOOTER:
Buddy Hield GSW SG 13 PTS | 3-6 3PT | 7 REB | 27.9 FPS
Hield was moved to the starting unit with multiple key players unavailable. He made the most out of it, delivering his third-straight double-digit scoring game and his fifth game this season, hitting at least 3 three-pointers.
THE X-FACTOR:
Gary Payton II GSW SG 6 PTS | 3 REB | 3 STL | 17.1 FPS
Payton struggled on offense but was a big factor defensively, leading all players in steals.
PLAYER TO WATCH:
Jaylon Tyson CLE SG 11 PTS | 11 REB | 3 AST | 27.7 FPS
Tyson has emerged as a significant contributor this month, averaging 19 points and 8.7 rebounds in four games.
BIGGEST DISAPPOINTMENT OF THE GAME:
Jonathan Kuminga GSW PF 4 PTS | 7 REB | 3 AST
JK turned in another underwhelming performance, shooting 1-for-10 from the field and finishing under the 10-point mark for the fourth time in his last five games.
