The Cleveland Cavaliers opened their 2026 NBA Summer League campaign with a gritty 82-77 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans on Thursday night at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas. In a contest defined by defensive hustle and late-game composure, the Cavaliers overcame a sluggish shooting start to secure a five-point win in front of a crowd eager to see the league’s newest crop of talent.

Game Overview

Both teams entered the matchup with rosters heavy on second-year players and undrafted hopefuls, but it was Cleveland’s ability to control the paint and force turnovers that proved decisive. The Cavaliers outscored New Orleans 38–30 on points in the paint and converted 17 Pelican turnovers into 21 points on the other end. The game was tightly contested from start to finish, with neither side leading by more than nine points at any stage.

Key Moments

• First Quarter Slog: The Pelicans jumped out to a 20-16 lead after the opening period, capitalizing on Cleveland’s 1-of-7 start from three-point range. New Orleans forward Jordan Hawkins knocked down two early triples to set the tone.
• Cavaliers Surge in the Third: Cleveland flipped the script after halftime, outscoring the Pelicans 28-18 in the third quarter. A 12-2 run capped by a driving layup from rookie guard Luke Travers put the Cavs up 61-53 with 2:30 left in the period.
• Clutch Finish: New Orleans clawed back to within two points at 78-76 on a floater by point guard Jalen Crutcher with 1:08 remaining. But Cavaliers swingman Emoni Bates answered with a stepback jumper, and after a defensive stop, forward Isaiah Mobley iced the game with two free throws.

Standout Performers

Emoni Bates (CLE): The second-year wing led all scorers with 24 points on 9-of-17 shooting, adding seven rebounds and three assists. Bates showed improved playmaking ability, breaking down the Pelicans defense in isolation and finding open teammates when the extra defender came.

Jalen Crutcher (NOP): The Pelicans’ floor general finished with 19 points and six assists, keeping his team in the game with timely scoring and crisp ball movement. Crutcher shot 7-of-13 from the field but struggled from deep (1-of-4).

Isaiah Mobley (CLE): The versatile big man posted a near double-double with 14 points and 11 rebounds, along with two blocked shots. His activity on the offensive glass (four offensive boards) gave Cleveland critical second-chance opportunities.

Tactical Observations

Cleveland’s defensive game plan focused on limiting New Orleans’ transition opportunities. The Cavaliers held the Pelicans to just eight fast-break points and forced them into half-court sets where their length disrupted passing lanes. Offensively, the Cavaliers struggled from three-point range (7-of-23, 30.4%) but made up for it by attacking the rim and drawing fouls, going 21-of-26 from the free-throw line.

New Orleans, meanwhile, had no answer for Cleveland’s size. Starting center Brandon Gardner picked up three fouls in the first half, forcing the Pelicans to go small — a lineup that the Cavaliers exploited repeatedly via post-ups and offensive rebounds.

Season Impact

For the Cavaliers, the win provides an early confidence boost as they look to develop their young core in the Summer League setting. Emoni Bates’ continued growth will be a storyline to monitor, while Isaiah Mobley’s polished interior game suggests he could push for a deeper rotation spot in the upcoming NBA season.

The Pelicans, meanwhile, will look to bounce back quickly in a tournament format where every game matters for seeding. Head coach Jarrett Gibbs noted after the game that his team’s lack of discipline in the third quarter was a key difference: “We had too many careless turnovers and we let them get comfortable at the rim. That has to change tomorrow.”

Looking Ahead

Cleveland will face the Denver Nuggets in their next Summer League contest on Saturday, while New Orleans takes on the Chicago Bulls in a must-win game on Friday. Both teams will hope for better shooting performances and continued development from their prospects as the Las Vegas showcase rolls on.