CLEVELAND, Ohio — Emotion filled the arena Monday night.
Love. Appreciation. Nostalgia. Joy. Excitement.
But by the end of the game, there was an overriding feeling: Disappointment. Perhaps even anger.
The enigmatic Cavs lost to the reeling Utah Jazz, 123-112. Cleveland is now just 2-3 in its last five games.
Fresh off quite possibly their best and most complete win of the season, the Cavs spoke about playing more like themselves, looking like the contender so many expected at the beginning of the season.
So much for the that.
The Jazz entered the night losers of six of the last seven. They were days removed from a 55-point rout.
And, yet the Cavs went down 12-2 in the first four-plus minutes. It was 21-4 around the midway point of the first quarter.
That’s when former franchise legend Kevin Love, playing just his second game in Cleveland since an unceremonious buyout in 2023, received a warm embrace complete with a sentimental video tribute.
Shortly after that special moment, which led to Love getting a standing ovation and pointing to his ring finger, the 18-year NBA veteran checked into the game.
The Cavs welcomed him back by going on a 10-2 run, trimming the Jazz lead back to single digits. But that surge short-circuited. By the end of those mostly lifeless 12 minutes, heavily favored Cleveland was down by a dozen.
It awoke in the second quarter, seemingly overwhelming the 25-loss Jazz and outscoring them 40-20, securing an eight-point halftime advantage.
But Utah regrouped, pulling even just three minutes into the third quarter and then leading by four going into the fourth. It was up by double digits with about nine minutes remaining and the Cavs only got as close as six before the Jazz stifled every comeback attempt, closing out the game with relative ease.
As the final minutes ticked away, boos started trickling through the crowd. It’s been the soundtrack to Cleveland’s up and down season.
Another inexplicable and inexcusable loss.
Utah guard Keyonte George finished with a game-high 32 points while former Cavalier Lauri Markkanen, the centerpiece of the blockbuster deal that brought Donovan Mitchell to Cleveland nearly four years ago, added 28 points and 12 rebounds. Love chipped in with 11 points off the bench.
The Cavs were led by Darius Garland who had 23 points and eight assists. Mitchell tallied 21 points, going just 7 of 18 from the field. Evan Mobley nearly recorded a triple-double with 15 points, nine rebounds and eight assists.
Sam Merrill (14 points), Nae’Qwan Tomlin (13) and Jaylon Tyson (11) also hit double figures for the Cavs who were without Dean Wade (knee contusion) and Max Strus (foot surgery).
Before the game, it was all smiles, hugs and handshakes — a chance to reminisce.
Mitchell with the old franchise that helped mold him into an MVP candidate. Markkanen with familiar faces that helped resuscitate his career. Love with former teammates, coaches, trainers and fans who brought jerseys and posed for photos.
The vibe hours later was much different.
**Up next**
The Cavs will head to Philadelphia for two games against the 76ers. The first is Wednesday night. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m.