Washington, 18 November 2024 (dpa/MIA) - The Cleveland Cavaliers on Sunday became the fourth team in NBA history to start a season 15-0 thanks to a 128-114 win over the Charlotte Hornets.

The Cavaliers are the first team to win the first 15 games of the season since the Golden State Warriors went 24-0 in 2016.

The win over the Hornets came despite the absence of star player Donovan Mitchell, who was rested.

The Cavaliers are leading the Eastern Conference by a wide margin. They are followed in second place by the Boston Celtics (11-3), ahead of the Orlando Magic (8-6) and the New York Knicks (6-6). All other Eastern conference teams currently have a losing record.

The Knicks also beat city rivals Brooklyn Nets for a second time. Two days after a 124-122 win, New York defeated the Nets 114-104 on Sunday.

In the Western Conference, the Luka Doncic-less Dallas Mavericks handed the Oklahoma City Thunder only their third defeat of the season so far.

The loss sent the Thunder (11-3) to second place in the Western standings, behind the Warriors (10-2).

Photo: EPA