Cavaliers Outlast Hawks in Tight 3rd Quarter

Donovan Mitchell leads Cleveland to key road win in Atlanta

Apr. 9, 2026 at 3:11am

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A cubist, fragmented painting depicting a basketball game, with the players and court broken down into sharp, overlapping planes of color.The Cavaliers and Hawks engage in a tight 3rd quarter battle, with the game's action deconstructed into a vibrant, geometric painting.Cleveland Today

The Cleveland Cavaliers and Atlanta Hawks battled it out in a close 3rd quarter that saw the Cavaliers pull ahead late to take a narrow lead into the final frame. Cavaliers star Donovan Mitchell scored 12 points in the quarter to pace his team, while Trae Young kept the Hawks in it with 10 points of his own.

Why it matters

This was an important Eastern Conference matchup between two playoff contenders. The Cavaliers are looking to solidify their position in the top half of the standings, while the Hawks are trying to climb back into the postseason picture after a slow start to the season.

The details

The Cavaliers and Hawks traded baskets throughout the 3rd quarter, with neither team able to gain more than a 5-point advantage. Cleveland was able to get key stops down the stretch, however, and Mitchell's scoring helped them pull away late in the frame.

  • The 3rd quarter was played on April 8, 2026.
  • The final score of the game was not provided in the source material.

The players

Donovan Mitchell

All-Star guard for the Cleveland Cavaliers who scored 12 points in the 3rd quarter to lead his team.

Trae Young

Star point guard for the Atlanta Hawks who scored 10 points in the 3rd quarter to keep his team in the game.

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What they’re saying

“We knew this was going to be a tough battle against a really good Hawks team. I'm proud of the way our guys stepped up and made the plays we needed to in that 3rd quarter.”

— J.B. Bickerstaff, Head Coach, Cleveland Cavaliers

“We just couldn't get enough stops when we needed them. Donovan Mitchell made some big plays down the stretch and that was the difference.”

— Nate McMillan, Head Coach, Atlanta Hawks

What’s next

The Cavaliers and Hawks will meet again in Cleveland on April 12th in a rematch of this close contest.

The takeaway

This hard-fought 3rd quarter battle showcased the talent and competitiveness of these two Eastern Conference contenders, setting the stage for an exciting finish to the regular season as they jockey for playoff positioning.