Cleveland Cavaliers guard Darius Garland celebrates after hitting a 3-pointer against the Charlotte Hornets.

Darius Garland scored 25 points, Ty Jerome matched his career high with 24 in place of Donovan Mitchell and the Cleveland Cavaliers remained undefeated with a 128-114 victory over the Charlotte Hornets on Sunday night.

The Cavs are the fourth team to start with a 15-0 record, joining the Golden State Warriors (2016), Houston Rockets (1994) and Washington Capitols (1949).. The Warriors set the league record by winning their first 24 games en route to a 73-9 season.

The previous three teams reached the Finals that season, with the 1993-94 Rockets being the only team to win the championship.

Evan Mobley had 23 points and 11 rebounds and Jarrett Allen 21 and 15 rebounds for Cleveland, which plays defending champion Boston on Tuesday.

15 @cavs win

Their BEST GAME for every victory! pic.twitter.com/nP5oVCtOaI

-NBA (@NBA) November 18, 2024

Cleveland’s perfect start sets a new standard for a franchise that has already fielded quality talent. Yet even successful eras led by LeBron James (2003-2010; 2014-18) or Mark Price and Brad Daugherty (1986-1994) did not start seasons as dominantly in the win column.

Cleveland’s current group – led by three current or former All-Stars in Garland, Mitchell and Allen as well as promising fourth-year big man Evan Mobley – not only leads the league in record, but is also second in terms of point differential (+12.3). ). When this quartet is on the floor together, the Cavs shoot 50% overall and 42.4% from 3-point range.

Garland’s resurgence in particular has been crucial to Cleveland’s torrid start. The former fifth overall pick has struggled with injuries and acclimated to the arrival of star teammate Donovan Mitchell, after initially making the All-Star team at age 22 in 2022.

This season, Garland’s numbers have skyrocketed. The 6-foot-1 guard increased his scoring per game (18.0 to 21.1), overall shooting (44.6% to 53.1%) and 3-point shooting (37.1% to 45 .8%).

The Associated Press contributed to this report.