Sports · October 30, 2026

Hawks Beat Cavaliers 114–111: Okongwu's 29 and Cleveland's Late Misses

Atlanta defeated Cleveland 114–111 on October 29, with Onyeka Okongwu scoring 29 points and grabbing 12 rebounds. The Cavaliers had two late chances to force overtime but could not connect.

By NewsTrendus Editorial Desk · October 30, 2026 · Independently written from linked sources · Representative editorial photograph

Representative licensed photograph of amateur basketball players practicing in an indoor gym; not the Hawks Cavaliers NBA game

Representative licensed photograph; not a photo of the reported event or the named people. Photo: Piotr Arnoldes / Pexels (Pexels free-use license).

At a glance: Atlanta defeated Cleveland 114–111 on October 29, with Onyeka Okongwu scoring 29 points and grabbing 12 rebounds. The Cavaliers had two late chances to force overtime but could not connect.

The Atlanta Hawks defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers 114–111 on Thursday, October 29, 2026, as Onyeka Okongwu scored a season-high 29 points and collected 12 rebounds. Cleveland rallied to within a point in the final minute, but Donovan Mitchell missed two potential tying attempts on the last possession.

Hawks vs. Cavaliers final score: how Atlanta came back

The Cavaliers opened with a 28–16 first-quarter lead and at one stage held a 15-point advantage. Atlanta then flipped the momentum in the second quarter with a 19–2 run, according to the Associated Press game account carried by FOX Sports. Cleveland managed only 16 points in the second period, while Atlanta scored 30.

The NBA game breakdown shows Atlanta outscoring Cleveland 43–38 in the third quarter. Cleveland took the fourth 29–25, but the earlier deficit remained just large enough for the Hawks to protect. The final 114–111 margin therefore reflects both Atlanta's midgame response and a tense finish.

What happened in the final 30 seconds?

Okongwu scored inside with roughly 28 seconds left to give Atlanta a 112–109 advantage. Mitchell then drove for a layup with 20.6 seconds remaining, cutting the gap to 112–111. Nickeil Alexander-Walker converted two free throws with 15.3 seconds left, restoring the Hawks' three-point lead. Mitchell's two late attempts to tie did not fall.

These final possessions are useful context for anyone searching the Hawks–Cavaliers score: Cleveland did not lose because it lacked a last shot. It had opportunities, but Atlanta had already banked the crucial lead and finished its final defensive stand.

Okongwu, Alexander-Walker and Cleveland's leading scorers

Okongwu finished with 29 points and 12 rebounds. Alexander-Walker contributed 25 points, and Aaron Wiggins scored 20 off Atlanta's bench. For Cleveland, James Harden led with 24 points and Donovan Mitchell added 22. Sam Merrill made four three-pointers on eight attempts, while Mitchell struggled from distance, making one of nine, according to the NBA's game analysis.

Atlanta snapped a three-game losing streak and moved to 3–3. Cleveland's three-game winning streak ended, leaving the Cavaliers at 3–2. These standings are as reported after the October 29 game, not a live update to later results.

When do the Hawks and Cavaliers play next?

The teams' next scheduled games are Saturday, October 31: Atlanta visits New Orleans, while Cleveland travels to Milwaukee. Schedule details can change, so the NBA's official schedule remains the authoritative place to confirm tipoff information.

Readers following Cleveland's early-season results can compare this game with our existing Cavaliers–Wizards recap and Cavaliers–Timberwolves overtime report. Those articles cover different games.

Sources and verification

Editorial note: Facts were checked against the linked sources on October 30, 2026. Future developments and unconfirmed details are not stated as established facts. For corrections, use our contact page.