Mitchell scores 32 as Cavaliers defeat Raptors 126-113 in Game 1 of East first-round series

Donovan Mitchell led the Cleveland Cavaliers with 32 points, while Max Strus contributed 24 off the bench, as they triumphed over the Toronto Raptors 126-113 in Game 1 of their Eastern Conference first-round playoff series. James Harden added 22 points and 10 assists, and Evan Mobley chipped in with 17 points and seven rebounds for the Cavaliers, who will host Game 2 on Monday. Mitchell set an NBA record by scoring at least 30 points in nine consecutive series openers. For the Raptors, RJ Barrett scored 24 points and Scottie Barnes added 21. Toronto, missing point guard Immanuel Quickley due to a hamstring strain, saw Jamal Shead step in with 17 points, including five 3-pointers. Despite Barrett’s efforts to close the gap, Cleveland pulled away with a decisive 27-9 run, highlighted by Strus’s 11 points and three 3-pointers, ultimately securing a 24-point lead early in the fourth quarter. QUESTION: How might the absence of key players like Immanuel Quickley impact a team’s performance in crucial playoff games?