Cavs hammer Wizards in every way imaginable

This is the version the Cavaliers have been waiting to roll out for weeks.

Full starting five. Full throttle. Full payback for a slow early-season rhythm.

Cleveland hammered host Washington 148–114 in Friday’s NBA Cup group game. The Cavs are now 1–1 in group play with two left to decide whether they make the knockout round.

This was only the second game back for Darius Garland after toe surgery. De’Andre Hunter returned from illness. And for the first time all year, coach Kenny Atkinson finally got to throw the lineup on the floor the organization anticipated.

Garland. Hunter. Donovan Mitchell. Evan Mobley. Jarrett Allen.

And it didn’t take long to see why they’ve been waiting.

The Cavs (6-3) scored the first six points. They dropped 76 in the first half. They led for 23 of 24 minutes before the break.

There was no post-halftime lull, no late fade — they pushed the lead out to 37 late in the fourth before Washington cut off a few points in garbage time.

Cleveland had seven players in double figures. All 13 who checked in scored. The Cavs also pounded the glass 57-44 and nearly had as many offensive rebounds (25) as Washington had defensive boards (28).

Mitchell led the way with 24 points. Garland added 20 points and nine assists. Allen (protective splint and all) posted a second straight double-double, this time with 16 points and 14 rebounds. Mobley added 18 and 10, respectively.

Rookie Tyrese Proctor scored 17, Sam Merrill had 14, and Jaylon Tyson — who keeps quietly climbing — scored 10 for his fifth straight game in double digits.

Canton product and veteran guard CJ McCollum scored 25 to pace the hapless Wizards (1-8). Alex Sarr had 20.

But the night belonged to the Cavs, who finally looked like the Cavs on paper.